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Namibia: Principal's Removal Call 'Political'
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
15 May 2008
Posted to the web 15 May 2008
Oswald Shivute
Okahao
THE turf war between Swapo and the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) spilled over to a school when parents at an Okahao school demanded the removal of the principal.
About 40 parents of children at the Etalaleko Senior Secondary School at Okahao in the Omusati Region held a demonstration to demand the transfer of headmaster Lameck Kamunyengo Shilongo because of alleged malpractice.
In their petition handed over to Okahao Circuit Inspector Abner Shikongo, the parents complained about poor communication between the principal, the hostel matron, hostel superintendent and the school board.
However a source told The Namibian that some Swapo political leaders in Ongandjera do not want Shilongo in their area, especially at Okahao, because he is an RDP supporter.
On his part Shilongo told The Namibian that the Councillor of Okahao constituency, Isai Kapenambili, was the one instigating the parents and pupils to demand his removal.
"The whole thing is politically motivated.
They do not want me in Ongandjera because I am Kwanyama and belong to another political party [RDP].
I have done nothing wrong at the school as the parents are claiming.
I know Kapenambili went around the town asking people to demonstrate against me, but could only get a few people for this demonstration," Shilongo told The Namibian yesterday.
He said some of the complaints raised were internal administrative problems.
"This move is a political move - I know.
They must come out clearly and not hide behind simple things, or tarnish others' good names, because of their political interests," Shilongo said.
Among the issues raised is the handling of the school fund, such as teachers borrowing money from the school and not paying it back.
The parents also complained about the principal's attitude and the fact that he did not allow Grade 10 learners to repeat as directed by Government.
Shilongo was also accused of allowing his students and others to engage in politics on school premises.
The parents' petition described the principal's leadership as autocratic, accusing him of suspending 16 pupils without valid reason.
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"Because of all these bad things done during his administration of this school, we are requesting Mr Lameck Shilongo, the principal of this school to be removed from this school as soon as possible," the petition reads.
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