The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has come to the rescue of the financially struggling Oshigambo High School.
This comes after the school on Thursday announced it may have to halt the resumption of the second semester on Friday due to unresolved subsidy issues.
The announcement was made by school board chairperson Simon Iitula.
The 64-year-old institution accommodates 471 pupils and has consistently done well in Namibia’s academic landscape.
The issues came after two pupils were suspended from the school hostel last month due to disciplinary issues.
In a letter to parents seen by The Namibian, Iitula says the regional education directorate has failed to resolve the issue of outstanding subsidies despite efforts made by the ministry on 4 July.
However, school principal Pineahas Ekongo yesterday said the ministry resolved the issue on Saturday.
“The parents have been informed already yesterday immediately after the issue has been resolved . . . the school is in a position to resume with the second semester,” he said.
Ekongo said the school gets a subsidy of N$22 per child per day.
“We are happy for what the executive director has done and for coming to our rescue,” he said.
‘LONG DISCUSSIONS’
Executive director of education Sanet Steenkamp last week said the ministry is fully aware of the matter.
“We have not been silent bystanders, but we have been actively engaging with various stakeholders on the issue, such as the directorate in the region and the school directly. There has been long discussions,” she said.
Steenkamp said the ministry provides the school with a subsidy for every child at its hostel.
“The letter that was sent out to parents will be reviewed . . . All pupils will return to school today, ready to start the new semester,” she said.
The ministry will continue to look at both cases presented by the regional director, as well as the school, and will find an amicable solution in the best interest of the children, Steenkamp said.
“I wish to herewith request all principals to familiarise themselves very clearly with the Education Act 3 of 2020 and to heed the call of following due processes for the suspension or expulsion of pupils,” she said.
‘UNSUCCESSFUL’
The Namibian has seen a report, titled ‘Report on the Unsuccessful Mediation Meeting in Oshikoto’, which was compiled by Mzingisi Gqwede, the director of adult education in the ministry, last Thursday.
Gqwede was tasked by the minister to mediate the matter between Oshigambo High School and the regional directorate.
In the report, he says regional education director Alleta Eises questioned his presence at the directorate when he visited it to attend a mediation meeting.
“When I mentioned the meeting, she claimed ignorance and abruptly left for another engagement, leaving me standing in the corridors of the regional office,” Gqwede says.
“The withdrawal of a High Court case involving two suspended students has set the stage for this crucial meeting . . . Despite receiving confirmation [of the meeting] from the school and informal assurance from the staff, the director’s absence was a stark contradiction.”
He says the region has been reduced to “a shadow of its former self”.
“The director’s actions suggest that the conflict may be more personal than institutional. Despite the setback, the necessity for this meeting remains,” Gqwede says.
Questions sent to Eises were not answered.
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