Education Officials Engaged After Sikanduko Parents Appeal to Head Woman
By TUW
Concerned parents and children gathered on Wednesday at the Head Woman’s house in Sikanduko on Friday, appealing for urgent intervention over persistent difficulties in securing school placements at Sikanduko Primary School.
The meeting was convened by Head Woman Siremo Rabana Mudi, who invited officials from the Rundu Education Circuit to address the growing concerns. The delegation was led by Deputy Director Aser Haikera Kandere, accompanied by Regina Haingura, representing the Circuit Inspector.
During the meeting, parents raised concerns that children living in Sikanduko are frequently denied admission at the nearby primary school, forcing them to attend schools far from their homes. They said the long distances pose serious safety risks, especially for young learners.
Parents further alleged that Sikanduko Primary School prioritises admitting learners from other areas while rejecting children from the local community.
One parent shared their frustration, stating that since relocating to Sikanduko in 2024, they have repeatedly applied for school placement. “I have two children. One was accepted, while the other has been rejected every year. Yet when you visit the school, you find many children from Sauyemwa being admitted,” the parent said.
Another emotional appeal came from Kudumo Magreth, who spoke on behalf of her sister, a learner suffering from epilepsy. She explained that the child currently attends Alpo Mbamba Primary School, far from home, and has collapsed several times on the way. “We place our contact number in her school bag in case she falls. Last year, she collapsed twice and was assisted by strangers. We have begged for her to be admitted at the nearest school, but she is always rejected,” she pleaded.
Addressing the gathering, Regina Haingura urged parents to follow formal procedures when raising concerns and advised them to apply for school placement as early as possible. However, several parents disputed this advice, saying they were never informed about the application period at Sikanduko Primary School.
Deputy Director Aser Haikera Kandere emphasised that rejecting learners should not be a solution. He stated that schools are required to register learners and forward capacity challenges to the relevant authorities. “It is not the responsibility of teachers to turn children away. The matter should be escalated to government structures for resolution,” he said.
Kandere assured parents that the issue would be addressed urgently and that arrangements would be made to ensure all affected children are registered.
Head Woman, Rabana Mudi described the challenges at Sikanduko Primary School as longstanding, alleging that school management often makes unilateral decisions without consulting parents or the school governing body.
The community has called on education authorities to act swiftly to protect children’s right to education and ensure their safety.
