Parents at Walvis Bay have been queuing at the town’s primary schools since Friday.
Residents were informed at a community meeting on Wednesday that enrolments for grades 0 and 1 pupils would take place on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
Some schools had no choice but to hand out tickets during the weekend to keep parents from spending the night camped outside.
As a result, parents who showed up on Monday could not secure space for their children.
They are saying the issuing of tickets over the weekend caused confusion.
“People were already given tickets so they could go home. The rest came rightfully on Monday, but were told there is no space. Some people put in leave to come and sit here today, but they already lost out.
“Others who live close to the school did not get space either as a result of this miscommunication. This has created confusion. What will happen now?” Peter Nalyende, a parent, asked on Monday.
Wendy Shikukwete, another parent, said: “We were told this morning to leave the school premises and warned that we would be arrested if someone breaks in.
“The principal also informed us that the director and circuit inspector we were waiting for would not be addressing us any more.
“We are aggrieved by this. This may only cause chaos. Our education system is failing us. We want a permanent solution.”
Johanna Johannes said: “We have been camping here since Friday, looking for space in grades 0 and 1.
“We were told there are only 17 places left. We need assurance from the education ministry that our children will find space.”
Walvis Bay circuit inspector Theresa Goagoses says the ministry needs to build at least one primary school per year to solve the problem, as there are too many new pupils.
“We are planing according to the pupils exiting Grade 7.
“We have 1 495 pupils exiting, and there is space available for 1 603 grade 0 and 1 pupils.
“We will thus only enrol 275 preprimary pupils. We currently have 333 preprimary pupils who are automatically enrolled for Grade 1 next year.
“The remaining 995 were enrolled today. The current enrolment is 1 934, meaning there is a need for a new primary school.” she says.
Goagoses says parents camping outside schools have been asked to add their names to a waiting list with two cell numbers.
“We will plan how to place them. They will be informed when to report to assigned stations.
“For now we only have the parents’ names and numbers. We still need to find out the medium of instruction for the pupils in order to plan accordingly,’’ she says.
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