Amarika hostel stays empty for a decade while six staff are paid   

A hostel built for Amarika Primary School in the Omusati region has been unused for nearly a decade.

The hostel, reportedly built in 2016, has never accommodated a single pupil despite the government recently appointing six staff members to oversee its operations.

School principal Abraham Haukelo has confirmed this.

School board chairperson Johaness Katukula says the Omusati regional directorate of education this year appointed a chief hostel matron, two matrons and three cleaners.

The hostel, built to accommodate San pupils from the Amarika area, however, remains closed, with the employees reportedly receiving government salaries despite having no operational duties.

“We’re asking the government to open the hostel so our children can use it,” Katukula says.

He says many children from Amarika village, particularly those from marginalised communities, have dropped out of school at an early age due to challenges that could be addressed through access to hostel accommodation.

“We want them to stay in the hostel so they do not drop out of school,” he says.

Katukula says parents whose children attend the school have in the past asked for the regional director’s office to intervene, but have not received a response.

Although community members have been told the hostel is expected to open next year, Katukula doubts this would happen.

“There is no sign that the hostel would open next year, because there is no storeroom, kitchen or refrigerator where hostel food could be stored,” he says.

He questions why the government continues paying staff members while the facility remains unused.

“Why is the government failing to open the hostel while they have money to pay people who are not doing anything?” he asks.

Haukelo has also confirmed that the hostel has remained unoccupied for nearly a decade.

He insists, however, that it will open next year after cleaners and matrons have been recruited.

Contacted for comment on Thursday, Omusati director of education Paulus Kashiimbi said while the community-style hostel was completed in 2019, operational delays stem from budget constraints that exclude essential furnishings.

While bedding has been delivered, procurement is ongoing for remaining items, such as food storage equipment.

“Hostel staff were recruited during this financial year only due to financial implications and approval by the Office of the Prime Minister. The directorate confirms that the staff appointments were made in preparation of the hostel’s planned opening,” he says.

The directorate has confirmed that the hostel is scheduled to officially open at the start of the 2027 academic year, and will accommodate about 48 pupils.