Director of Education in the Erongo Region, Erenfriede Stephanus has stressed that no learner will be sent home because they do not contribute to school development funds.

In a recent interview with Nampa, Stephanus said although the funds currently allocated to schools by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) are not sufficient, payments are still voluntary and schools should not force parents to pay.

This follows several media reports of schools in northern and central regions turning learners and parents away due to non-payment of school development funds.

“Schools should always communicate with the parents on their plans and the budget available, and only then if parents see the need to contribute, should they contribute voluntarily because it is for the benefit of the learners,” Stephanus noted.

She added that schools that are experiencing shortages in development funds should always ask for assistance from their regional directorates.

MoEAC has received a budget of N. dollars 13.8 billion, equivalent to 23.2 per cent of the total budget allocation for the 2021/22 financial year.

Stephanus however expressed satisfaction at the fact that no such incidences have been reported in the Erongo Region yet.

She noted that several school projects and renovations including the renovation of the Dibasen Junior Secondary School hostel in the Omaruru circuit took place in 2021 and it can now accommodate learners.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency