Several Windhoek schools charge admission fees referred to as ‘development fees’

By: Hertha Ekandjo

A survey conducted by NewsOnOne has revealed that several schools in Windhoek are charging between N$400 and N$600 per learner for admission and school-related fees, sparking concern and frustration among parents.

This is despite a warning by the education ministry earlier this week against education officials accepting or soliciting gifts or money from parents for learner placements.

Many parents have expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the fees were not communicated in advance and were not included in their household budgets.

Some have called on the ministry of education to intervene and clarify whether the charges are permitted under public school regulations.

Sonia Ruphin, a parent, complained about the fees, saying that upon her arrival at Moses van der Byl Primary School, she was requested to pay N$420 for as a registration fee for her child.

“First, we started from Moses van der Byl Primary School, and we were requested to pay N$420 for registration for the kid,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Stanely Sariseb, who is also a parent, stressed that he was short of N$200 and was turned away from the school without registering his child.

“Now they tell us we must pay N$420, but we are short of N$200. They say they cannot take half of the amount; they can only take the full amount of the money,” Sariseb narrated.

Efforts to obtain comment from Moses van der Byl Primary School were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

However, A Shipena Secondary School principal, Moses Haufiku, explained the fees at his school are not admission fees, but rather developmental and parental contribution fees used to support school operations and infrastructure.

Haufiku said parents contribute N$500 per learner for the year, which goes towards capital projects and maintenance. “These contributions help us meet the government halfway. For example, we have been able to buy a school bus for N$1.2 million, tile the school hall at a cost of about N$230,000, and build new laboratories,” he said.

He added that the funds ensure that the school can maintain and improve its facilities, benefiting both learners and the wider school community.

Namibia’s official introduction of free education at the primary level took place when the government abolished primary school fees in December 2012, with implementation beginning the following year in 2013 under former education minister Abraham Iyambo.

This policy removed compulsory school fees for primary education, in line with constitutional provisions guaranteeing free primary education.