Omusati schools without books
Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp says internal inefficiencies at the Omusati Regional Council’s education directorate have resulted in schools in the region going without books, a situation that has hampered effective teaching and learning.
She was reacting to a media inquiry that emanated from a statement by disgruntled Omusati governor Erginus Endjala.
At a stakeholder meeting last Wednesday, Endjala said parents have complained that their children are unable to take notes in class because they don’t receive books from school, including textbooks.
Hinting that some principals and stakeholders in the directorate are colluding with companies to increase the prices of items and allegedly sharing the profits thereafter, he said an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation has been launched.
“A parent from Oshitayi came to my office. Apparently her child has not been taking summaries because they were not given exercise books and they cannot afford to buy them,” Endjala said.
“Now we are going in the third month and there [are] no exercise books at schools. Even textbooks. How many months left before examinations?
“I want to know what went wrong. It is not [an] issue of money. This is what we call malpractice when it comes to handling the finances of the government,” he said.
Frustrating process
When contacted for comment, Steenkamp said her office is aware of the situation, adding that she is pleased Endjala spoke up about the matter.
“It has been a very frustrating process in Omusati with the regional council and I was very pleased to notice that the governor expressed himself very strongly about what's happening in the council.
“We have to understand that this funding has been sent to the region in June 2023 already with clear instructions as to how to go about the stationery procurement,” she said.
“Clearly, the directorate has to take full responsibility for [its] failure and the internal inefficiencies in [its] own system of procurement. There is no time for blame any more. My instructions to the director were very clear,” Steenkamp said.
“Number one, make an assessment of all that you received from government stores in terms of the books, the pencils and other stationeries, and then know what the gap is and what money can then be transferred to schools.
“So, I am very proud that the governor took a strong stance. They must continue to investigate why we have such high levels of inefficiency and internal discord [that are] not allowing these processes to move forward.”
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She was reacting to a media inquiry that emanated from a statement by disgruntled Omusati governor Erginus Endjala.
At a stakeholder meeting last Wednesday, Endjala said parents have complained that their children are unable to take notes in class because they don’t receive books from school, including textbooks.
Hinting that some principals and stakeholders in the directorate are colluding with companies to increase the prices of items and allegedly sharing the profits thereafter, he said an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation has been launched.
“A parent from Oshitayi came to my office. Apparently her child has not been taking summaries because they were not given exercise books and they cannot afford to buy them,” Endjala said.
“Now we are going in the third month and there [are] no exercise books at schools. Even textbooks. How many months left before examinations?
“I want to know what went wrong. It is not [an] issue of money. This is what we call malpractice when it comes to handling the finances of the government,” he said.
Frustrating process
When contacted for comment, Steenkamp said her office is aware of the situation, adding that she is pleased Endjala spoke up about the matter.
“It has been a very frustrating process in Omusati with the regional council and I was very pleased to notice that the governor expressed himself very strongly about what's happening in the council.
“We have to understand that this funding has been sent to the region in June 2023 already with clear instructions as to how to go about the stationery procurement,” she said.
“Clearly, the directorate has to take full responsibility for [its] failure and the internal inefficiencies in [its] own system of procurement. There is no time for blame any more. My instructions to the director were very clear,” Steenkamp said.
“Number one, make an assessment of all that you received from government stores in terms of the books, the pencils and other stationeries, and then know what the gap is and what money can then be transferred to schools.
“So, I am very proud that the governor took a strong stance. They must continue to investigate why we have such high levels of inefficiency and internal discord [that are] not allowing these processes to move forward.”
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