Parents asked to bring 6 packs Strongbow to school

The parents of pupils at Omuthitu Combined School in the Omusati region have been asked to bring Tassenberg wine and six packs of Strongbow to school for fundraising.

Okahao circuit education inspector Eliakim Kamati yesterday confirmed that the school sent parents letters on 17 March, requesting them to bring the alcoholic beverages and food items to school for a fundraising bazaar.

Kamati, however, says the bazaar, which will take place tomorrow, will not be held at the school premises.
The proceeds from the event would help erect a fence at the school.

The Namibian is in possession of a copy of one of the letters principal Johanes Nampila wrote.

Kamati denied some parents’ allegations that the school expects the children to bring the alcohol to school themselves.

He says a meeting with the parents took place last month, where pledges were made.

“The letter preceded the meeting. Parents pledged the drinks and other items for the school to be able to raise some funds,” he says.

Kamati says the parents agreed with Nampila that if they did not fulfil this promise, their children would be sent home to remind them.

“Parents pledged to deliver whatever they pledged. The pupils were then given letters to remind the parents,” Kamati says.

In one of the letters dated 17 March written by Nampila, parents were asked to pledge two six packs of Strongbow to the school.

The letter, written in Oshiwambo, reads: “The Omuthitu Combined School will be having a bazaar on 21 to 23 April at Okahao. We want you to assist us with two six packs of Strongbow.

“You are asked to refer your donations to the school or contact the school principal between 10 to 15 April. The aim is [to raise funds for] the new school fence.”

However, some parents say despite not making a pledge or being present at the meeting, they were still asked to deliver two six packs of Strongbow to the school.

A parent, who’s name is known to The Namibian, but whose identity cannot be revealed to protect her child, claims her son, a Grade 4 pupil, was kicked out of class because she failed to purchase two six packs.

She says the school asked the children to bring the alcohol to school themselves.

She wants to know why the children are sent home if their parents failed to purchase the items.

“We asked the principal why they are doing this, and told them that we have never heard of pupils being asked to take alcohol to school,” she says.

“If we give alcohol, we do not know if the kid is going to drink the alcohol or not,” she says.

The parent says pupils were also asked to bring items such as chicken, other types of beer, Tassenberg wine and other alcoholic beverages to school.

“There are many ways in which the school could raise money, not asking them to take alcohol to school,” she says.

Nampila yesterday said he would not respond to the media.

“I am not commenting on this matter, I can only respond to my supervisor [the education inspector],” he said.