Back to School: Back to Chaos
Windhoek schools consider pontoon system due to overcrowding
The Ministry of Education is considering introducing the pontoon system again, as overcrowding in urban schools leaves hundreds of learners without placements at the beginning of the 2026 academic year.
On Monday, numerous parents waited at the Teachers’ Resource Centre in Windhoek to apply for school placement for children who had been rejected by schools or had not yet received placements at the start of the academic year.In response to queries from Network Media Hub (NMH), education deputy executive director Edda Bohn said: “The ministry is considering the possibility of introducing double shifts [the pontoon system] where there is demand, even though this brings other challenges, which we are also aware of.”
Under this system, schools would split the day into morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate more learners in existing classrooms. While this could provide short-term relief, education experts warn it may reduce contact time, increase pressure on teachers and affect learning outcomes.
Bohn acknowledged these concerns, emphasising that the ministry is trying to balance the urgent need for school placement with maintaining education standards.
Delays and systemic challenges
By December 2025, all learners who had formally applied and registered with regional education offices had been assigned a place, Bohn said. However, reliance on a manual placement system remains a key obstacle. “We are working hard to prepare for the digitalisation of this process,” she added.
Placement delays are further exacerbated when learners secure places at multiple schools. “They only need one place, of course,” Bohn explained. “The resulting free places will become available by the 15th school day, and then more learners will be placed.”
The renewed discussion about double shifts highlights deeper structural challenges in Namibia’s education system.
“In Khomas and across the country, there are more primary schools than secondary schools, and the pressure to address this backlog is high, alongside ongoing population growth,” Bohn said. Urbanisation continues to increase learner numbers in Windhoek, with large classes, limited infrastructure, and overburdened teachers becoming common.
While the pontoon system may offer temporary relief, the ministry stresses it is not a long-term fix. “The ministry will explore ways to accelerate the construction of additional classrooms and new schools,” Bohn said.