Nanso bemoans poor state of classrooms ahead of exams

The Namibia National Student Organisation (Nanso) says deplorable school conditions will impact the upcoming national exam results.

Nanso president Dorthea Nangolo says the dilapidated classrooms were identified when Nanso visited secondary schools to assess their readiness for the upcoming exams.

Speaking at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, Nangolo said “pupils are expected to learn while the roof of their classroom falls on top of their heads”.

Nangolo said Nanso recently launched an examination readiness campaign in the northern regions to address issues that could potentially affect the performance of pupils during the upcoming national exams.

“This will not only be reported in our findings, but also provides a prediction on regional performances in the upcoming national exams,” she said.

The first phase of the campaign covered schools in the Otjozondjupa, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati regions, as well as the most remote areas along the Namibia-Angola border.

According to Nangolo, the majority of educational infrastructure across the country has not been renovated and maintained since construction.

“The dilapidated state of many schools is not only alarming, but utterly unacceptable,” she said.

She emphasised that pupils face immense stress while being taught in hazardous conditions.

“The dangerous and deplorable state of the classrooms, with collapsing roofs and hazardous floors, is outrageous,” she added.

Nangolo noted that pupils also face a shortage of textbooks and essential equipment for examinations, such as computers for those taking computer studies at Ordinary and AS levels.

This gap in resources puts pupils at a severe disadvantage while they prepare for their final external exams, she said.

Nangolo highlighted that Nanso is launching the ‘Fix My School’ campaign, to assist in the renovation and repair of broken school infrastructure.

However, she called on parents and businesses to help fund learning camps to provide pupils with a place to study and receive learning support.

“The government alone cannot bear the burden of transforming our educational system,” she said.

Nanso spokesperson Jessy Abraham said the organisation will continue its efforts in more regions of the country.

“We are continuing our work in other regions and assessing their readiness,” said Abraham, urging parents and teachers to assist pupils.