/Goagoses agitates accountability in education

Isabel Bento 

SWAKOPMUND – Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses wants stronger regional involvement, accountability and monitoring in education infrastructure projects, saying funding and responsibilities must be aligned with the actual needs of schools and communities.

Speaking at the region’s first-ever education infrastructure onvestment conference in Swakopmund on Tuesday, /Goagoses questioned the coordination of infrastructure projects and urged stakeholders to ensure that investments translate into tangible improvements for learners.

“Functions must be followed by funds and funds must follow the functions,”
/Goagoses said, stressing the importance of involving regional authorities in decisions affecting infrastructure development in the region. 

The governor further questioned how major education infrastructure projects were identified and implemented without sufficient consultation with regional structures, saying stronger coordination was necessary to establish whether projects were addressing priority needs and delivering value for money.

She also urged stakeholders to consider critical unfinished or under-resourced projects when mobilising support for schools, rather than making contributions without first establishing where the greatest need exists.

Her concerns come amid increasing pressure on infrastructure across Erongo.

Acting Regional Education Director Helen Asino said the region currently has 99 schools serving 60 988 learners, with enrolment expected to continue rising as a result of population and economic growth.

It is projected that the region will have 64 037 learners in 2027 and 67 239 in 2028, an increase of more than 3 000 learners each year. Grade 1 enrolment alone is projected to rise from 6 342 in 2027 to 6 596 in 2028, while Grade 8 numbers are expected to increase from 5 543 to 5 765 over the same period.

Asino said the pressure is already evident, with 684 Grade 1 learners unplaced in Swakopmund and more than 2 161 learners accommodated through the platoon system in Walvis Bay. Omaruru is also experiencing increasing enrolment pressure. Erongo deputy education director Natalia Guriras said the infrastructure challenge extends beyond classrooms to teachers’ accommodation, furniture, sanitation, ICT facilities and the maintenance and renovation of existing schools. She emphasised that ageing infrastructure and increasing demand require interventions that respond both to immediate shortages and the longer-term growth of the region.

The education directorate estimates that 87 additional classrooms and teachers will be required in 2027 and 91 in 2028, along with furniture and supporting facilities.

-Nampa 

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