Building a brighter future

Namibian education is in dire need of bigger facilities to accommodate as many children as possible.
Helene Bam
Elizabeth Joseph

On 11 June, Moses //Garoëb Primary School received a well-deserved donation of a new school block funded by the Japanese government. This event was officiated by Japanese ambassador to Namibia, Hideaki Harada.

Despite being situated in one of the most disadvantaged settlements of Windhoek, the school still tries its best to uphold the name of the late politician, Moses //Garoëb.

On top of the continuous population influx into the area, the introduction of free education in 2013 has forced the school to make some big sacrifices to accommodate all their learners.

The school also had to follow the platoon (double session) system.

It is against this background that the Japan government awarded the school a grant amounting to N$83 3597.

The grant was utilised to build a new school block consisting of four permanent classrooms and one storeroom. A total of 154 learners in grade 3, who are currently attending the afternoon teaching session will benefit from this new block.

This handover marked the last day of the double session system at the primary school. Learners will now be able to attend the morning sessions in a more conducive educational environment.

“The grant assistance was given by the Japanese government though it’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project,” said Harada.

Among the many guests at the event was basic education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, who was pleased to cut the ribbon for the new classrooms.

“This partnership is of great assistance to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture in our quest to deliver quality education to the Namibian children,” Hanse-Himarwa said.

The principal of the school, Judith Sepiso, said: “Since 1999 this school has been offering the double session system to the children, but today we are making way for a new era.”

Sepiso’s selfless and driven desire to see education flourish at all costs was also highlighted.

It was also emphasised that the learners should take proper care of the school, to ensure that future generations will also be able to enjoy the benefits of the donation.