Rundu: The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has announced plans to address overcrowding in 39 schools located in five regions across Namibia. These regions are Kavango East, Khomas, Erongo, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi.

According to Namibia Press Agency, these schools each accommodate more than 2,000 learners, contributing to significant congestion in the education system. Namibia currently has 209 schools nationwide. Steenkamp made the remarks during a site visit to government projects alongside Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.

The delegation, which remains in the region until Monday, visited several key locations including the Swapo Party regional office, the regional governor's office, Ndama East School, a proposed site for an intermediate hospital, as well as the Rundu State Hospital. In Kavango East, Ndama Combined School is one of the most overcrowded, with around 2,669 learners. The aim is to decongest four schools in this region by converting 60 classrooms into standalone schools.

Steenkamp emphasized that the government's intervention at Ndama East School is driven by national interest and the wellbeing of learners. However, she warned against the establishment of unauthorized schools, stating, "We will not allow anyone to open illegal schools, that's exactly what they are."

The ministry is working to address 'learning poverty' across the country, and learners coming from informal schools without proper report card systems will need to be assessed before being integrated into public schools. Steenkamp reaffirmed her stance that learners from Ndama East were supposed to be accommodated through platooning at the government-completed Ndama South School. However, many parents declined this option, citing concerns about distance and safety.

In response, the government announced plans to build a new school at the current site of Ndama East School.