Karibib Junior Secondary School in Namibia is facing a shortage of classroom space due to an unfinished classroom block that has been under construction for about three years. The school has approximately 300 pupils and the lack of space has become a significant challenge, particularly when pupils are divided according to their different language subjects. The school's board chairperson and senior teacher, Unotjari Katupose, says the situation is difficult to manage.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture awarded a N$523,000 tender to MRA Investments CC to construct the classroom block in 2022. The construction was expected to take three months, but the contractor left the site in November 2022 after receiving part of the payment. Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti says the project was awarded to MRA Investments CC at a contract value of N$523,911.74, and the directorate has paid N$370,667.54 towards the project.
The lack of space at the school becomes particularly challenging when pupils are divided according to their different language subjects. Katupose says teachers have resorted to using makeshift spaces to accommodate pupils during language lessons. The current arrangements are only a temporary solution until the new classrooms are completed. The school's situation highlights the challenges faced by schools in Namibia in providing adequate infrastructure for pupils.
The stalled construction comes as the school continues to deal with the practical effects of limited classroom space. Katupose says the situation affects how pupils and teachers move around the school during lessons. The school does not rotate pupils, only the teachers, to ensure that there is some available space. The temporary arrangements have become a regular feature of life at the school.
The education ministry has confirmed that construction of the two classrooms started in August 2022 and was expected to take three months to complete. However, the project stalled, and the ministry is now working on ways to address the classroom shortage at the school. Ballotti says the government is working to complete the two classrooms left unfinished under the previous contract.
The ministry is also working to complete the two classrooms left unfinished under the previous contract. Ballotti says the outstanding works were advertised to appoint a new contractor, but the procurement process will have to be repeated. The process will involve a review of the previous tender requirements to ensure that the necessary requirements are adequately provided for.
Two new classrooms are currently under construction and are expected to be completed within the next two months. The completion of the classrooms is expected to ease the pressure on the school. The school's situation highlights the need for adequate infrastructure to support education in Namibia.
Key points
- The construction of a classroom block at Karibib Junior Secondary School has been stalled for about three years due to the contractor abandoning the project.
- The school has approximately 300 pupils and is facing a shortage of classroom space, particularly for language subjects.
- The ministry is working to complete the stalled project and address the classroom shortage at the school.
