Hundreds of pupils across Namibia remain unenrolled three weeks into the new academic year because of a nationwide shortage of classrooms, the Ministry of Education confirmed, as frustrated parents in densely populated regions press for swift action.
The situation is most acute in the Khomas region, the country’s economic hub, where officials say there is a critical lack of space for Grade 8 students. Parents and community leaders report children staying at home while schools struggle to accommodate incoming classes, heightening concerns about missed instruction and unequal access to education.
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The National Organisation of Parents in Education said the gap between official policy and reality is stark. “Parents who cannot afford to pay are made to feel powerless and humiliated,” said Paulus Hawanga, the group’s founder, noting that a formal government policy guarantees that no child should be denied access to education.
Ministry of Education authorities acknowledged the shortfall and pledged to remedy the situation “as quickly as possible,” though they provided no immediate timetable. Officials did not specify how many pupils remain unenrolled nationwide or outline precise measures to expand classroom capacity.
Education advocates say the problem reflects longer-term constraints in school infrastructure and rapid population growth in urban centres. Densely populated districts are reporting the earliest and most visible impacts, as incoming secondary-level cohorts outpace available facilities.
Parents in affected communities described ad hoc responses at some schools, including temporary shifts, double sessions and makeshift classrooms, while other families have been asked to pay for alternative arrangements to secure places for their children. Those unable to meet extra costs say they are left with few options.
Analysts say delayed enrollment in the opening weeks of a school year can have cascading effects: lost instructional time, administrative bottlenecks and increased strain on teachers and school resources. For vulnerable students, gaps at the start of the year can widen existing educational inequalities.
Local education officials and parent representatives are calling on the central government to provide rapid funding, temporary infrastructure and clearer guidance on enrollment priorities. School administrators say they need immediate logistical support to manage classroom allocations and to avoid long-term disruptions to learning.
The Ministry has not yet released a detailed national plan or figures that would clarify the scale of the backlog or the resources required to resolve it. For parents awaiting placement, the promise of a speedy fix offers limited comfort while children remain at home.
As the academic year progresses, communities and the ministry face mounting pressure to translate assurances into concrete steps that ensure all children are seated in classrooms without further delay.
By News-room
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
