The King Kauluma Combined school in Oshikoto is accused of denying children an education while latecomers are sent home.
Some parents claim that 20 or more students are sent home daily by the school.
“How can these children expect to perform academically when their lessons are being missed? They often walk more than 6km each day to get to school. “They get up as early at 04h00 to prepare for the day and walk to school,” a parent is concerned.
“From as early as 08h30 you find pupils in their uniforms walking away from the school – all turned away.
Another parent states, “If a pupil is late three days a weeks, it means they only get to learn two days a semaine.”
Andrew Akawa, principal of the school, said this week that sending students home for latecoming was a disciplinary measure.
“Most of these children were deliberately chosen. Latecoming has become too much. Five pupils will be absent from a classroom between 8h25 and 9h00 or 10h00.
Akawa stated, “We have met with parents about the matter.”
“Parents need to understand that we are doing this for the benefit of their children. They miss out on the first three lessons in school if they arrive late.
“In reality, before these measures were implemented, you would have half the students in class. But now, 95% of the class has been filled,” he stated.
Yesterday, Eises Thanises, the education director for Oshikoto Region Eises Thanises, said she couldn’t comment.
She stated that she was currently investigating the claims. Once we are done, she will update you with the findings.
Source: namibian
