Allexer Namundjembo
Negumbo Senior Secondary School, located about 50 kilometres from Oshakati, has asked 38 students to bring mattresses to school because of severe overcrowding at its hostel. The situation has raised concerns about learner welfare and the learning environment.
The school last year appealed to the Omusati regional education directorate to address the overcrowding.
In 2025, the hostel accommodated 589 learners, which is 141 more than its approved capacity of 448 beds.
Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer show that the school suggested postponing planned classroom construction to prioritise fixing the hostel shortage.
Letters addressed to the Elim Circuit educational inspector proposed that the school, the Circuit Development Committee and the Inspectorate be involved in planning and infrastructure recommendations before final decisions are made.
The correspondence also noted that the school was not consulted when decisions to add classrooms were taken.
The overcrowding has created daily challenges. These include water supply disruptions, sewer failures and congestion in the dining hall, which delays meals and disrupts school routines.
“This necessitates that 141 learners sleep on the floor, creating an unhealthy, unsafe, and unconducive environment for our learners,” one of the letters states.
When contacted by the Windhoek Observer, Kristof Aipanda, the principal of Negumbo Secondary School, referred questions to the regional directorate.
“I am not the right person to comment on this; kindly contact the directorate for comments,” he said.
It remains unclear whether the directorate has responded to the school’s request or what steps will be taken to resolve the overcrowding.
The Omusati education director did not respond to questions sent via WhatsApp and did not answer calls on Sunday.
Silas Tomas, a parent whose child attends the school, said management acted responsibly by informing parents early.
“At least parents had time to prepare their children. But the government should also try to sort out the hostel situation, as this is not in the interests of the public,” he said in a telephonic interview with the Observer.
