Over 15 000 learners in Oshana in poverty
• Education director pleads for support
The IUM founder pledged to continue supporting vulnerable children and education.
Oshana education director Hileni Amukana says more than 15 000 learners in the region are vulnerable and living in poverty.
“We have a list of learners who are vulnerable in the region. These learners sometimes do not go to school, and the number is more than 15 000,” she said.
She added that some learners tend to live alone at homesteads or with their grandparents and survive merely off their pension, which may not be enough.
Amukana, who was speaking at a donation handover of school uniforms by the David Namwandi Trust at Okapya over the weekend, said the region has 58 000 learners, and called upon stakeholders and individuals to support education.
According to her, government has enforced a law that every learner needs to go to school in full school uniform.
“We find our learners who do not have proper school uniform, and some do not have school shoes,” she said.
Painful
Reacting to the figure, former education minister and founder of the International University of Management (IUM), David Namwandi, said it is painful that so many learners are vulnerable in the region.
“I cannot understand why a country with wealth is struggling like this,” he said.
Namwandi urged Namibians not to wait on government, as the state cannot do it alone.
“It is not possible for government to make it alone, even though there are some people in government who do not want private sector to flourish.” He further pledged to continue supporting vulnerable children and education in the country.
“We give bursaries to 20 students who are vulnerable and have good grades every year to pursue their studies on tertiary level,” he said.
“We have a list of learners who are vulnerable in the region. These learners sometimes do not go to school, and the number is more than 15 000,” she said.
She added that some learners tend to live alone at homesteads or with their grandparents and survive merely off their pension, which may not be enough.
Amukana, who was speaking at a donation handover of school uniforms by the David Namwandi Trust at Okapya over the weekend, said the region has 58 000 learners, and called upon stakeholders and individuals to support education.
According to her, government has enforced a law that every learner needs to go to school in full school uniform.
“We find our learners who do not have proper school uniform, and some do not have school shoes,” she said.
Painful
Reacting to the figure, former education minister and founder of the International University of Management (IUM), David Namwandi, said it is painful that so many learners are vulnerable in the region.
“I cannot understand why a country with wealth is struggling like this,” he said.
Namwandi urged Namibians not to wait on government, as the state cannot do it alone.
“It is not possible for government to make it alone, even though there are some people in government who do not want private sector to flourish.” He further pledged to continue supporting vulnerable children and education in the country.
“We give bursaries to 20 students who are vulnerable and have good grades every year to pursue their studies on tertiary level,” he said.
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