Some parents in Windhoek were in tears on Wednesday as they left principal offices with news that schools are full to capacity and cannot accommodate new learners.
Public schools officially commenced on Wednesday for the academic year 2023 and many parents were left stranded as they searched for placements especially in pre-primary, Grade 1 and Grade 8.
Speaking to Nampa on Wednesday, Cecilia Victor, a parent in search of Grade 8 placement for her son at Centaurus High School said she had been unsuccessful at multiple schools and pleads with the government to create more schools.
“We need more schools especially for grades 8 and 9 because there are a lot of learners and we do not want our children on the streets,” said Victor, visibly frustrated.
In the same vein, Windhoek High School (WHS)’s principal (acting), Dinette de Beer told Nampa they had over 2 000 applicants for the academic year 2023 in Grade 8 but could only accommodate 340 pupils, leaving the rest to find placement in other schools.
“We’re nearly 1 350 pupils at WHS and have no placement from Grade 8 to 11. There is still an option for Grade 12 Advanced Subsidiary learners, we are waiting for them to register,” De Beer said.
Principal of Suiderhof Primary School, Alna Similo said they received over 500 online applications in 2022 for Grade 1 and approximately 300 for Grade 0 but only accommodated 116 for that grade and 60 for Grade 1 to accommodate transferred pre-primary learners.
“Unfortunately we only have four classes for pre-primary which we only take in 25 children, but we ended up taking in 116 instead of 100 because we made additional provision,” she said.
Letta Shilongo, an aunt whilst leaving Suiderhof Primary School, unsuccessful in Grade 0 placement for her niece said they, the parents, are put on waiting lists but there is nothing that they can do.
Similo expressed sympathy to parents who did not get placements.
“I really feel sorry for the parents that have been sitting here the whole day since Monday but unfortunately we can only take up a certain number,” Similo said.