Under the big tree : challenges and accomplishments of Gqaina, a primary school for Ju/'hoan children in Omaheke, Namibia

Abstract

The thesis makes an overview of a 'good' school for Ju/'hoan children in the Omaheke, Namibia. San children in the southern African region face many difficulties in formal education and there are very few schools in the region built to specifically meet the needs of the San.

Gqaina Primary School has overcome many problems which San children face in education by creating a safe environment for them and promoting mother-tongue education in Ju/'hoansi.

I have also looked into the discrepancy between the good school profile and the low parental participation and have argued that cultural differences are at the bottom of the problem.

After graduation from Gqaina, many San children enroll in high schools. Yet, most of them drop out in the first two years. The reasons for that have also been questioned here.