Zambezi school withholds pupils’ reports for not financially contributing to fence

An unemployed mother of one and guardian to nine others, Chaze Mapuzo, is not sure whether any of the children passed the first term due to withheld reports.

This is because Mapuzo could not afford to pay a donation of N$50 for each child as a contribution for a school fence at Sachinga Combined School in the Zambezi region.

Since last year, many parents like Mapuzo who enrolled their children at the school are expected to give a yearly donation of N$100 if they want to see their children’s progress reports.

Furthermore, if the pupils do not contribute two reams of photocopy paper per term, they do not get their reports.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Mapuzo said since last year, she no longer waits in suspense to see the children’s school reports as she knows they will not be coming home with any.

“You sit in uncertainty as to whether or not your child was promoted to the next grade. The only reliable income I get monthly is my child’s N$350 from the orphans and vulnerable children grant. Therefore, I could not afford to pay the donation of N$50 this term, and if it goes on I’m unlikely to pay N$500 for the last term as well. “On top of that, we are expected to buy four photocopy paper reams per child, and that’s even more expensive for me to buy for all of them. This situation also discourages them as they are not sure whether they performed well or if they need to improve,” she said.

Regional education director Alex Sikume, when approached for a comment on the issue yesterday, said he only learned about the practice at that school upon this newspaper’s query.

He, however, added that he followed it up immediately and learned that it was indeed true. He is busy addressing the issue.

“Withholding school reports from pupils is not allowed at all. The principal was requested to give a detailed report to the Sibbinda circuit inspector. Furthermore, I instructed that the reports be released immediately and appropriate action be taken against the principal,” he said.

Education executive director Sanet Steenkamp sternly warns principals that if they are found to be withholding pupils’ school reports, they will be in trouble.

“We will take action against principals where we find evidence. There are clear directives from the ministry to all the regions and at every single level, from the director to the circuit inspector to the principal, of specific actions that they should know and comply with,” she says.