Monte Christo Primary Project School receives classrooms

Helene Bam
Tunohole Mungoba

441 learners from tents to classrooms

“The mobile containerized classrooms donated by the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group to the Monte Christo Primary Project School over the past two years have made a significant difference in the lives of both the learners and teachers”, says the school principal, Elizabeth Murangi. Currently 441 learners are accommodated in the mobile classrooms (230 in the morning and 211 in the afternoon classes). Six Grade 1 class groups attend the morning sessions, and six class groups of Grade 2, the afternoon sessions. There are still two tents being occupied by 80 learners.

“We can’t even see or experience the difference between the containerized classrooms and a fixed brick structure. It is as good as a brick setting, with a significantly positive impact, not only in the learning environment for both the learners and the teachers, but also in the performance of the learners in general. These classrooms simply have a great impact on the entire school’s attitude. The classrooms have all the necessities for a proper learning environment. They even have air-conditioners. It is so awesome.”

According to Roux-ché Locke, the group manager of corporate communications of O&L, says the group is committed to education and skills development, wellness and health, and environmental preservation in serving our Purpose, ‘Creating a future, enhancing life’, for the communities in which we operate. “In bringing the O&L Purpose to life through our corporate social Investment (CSI) initiatives, the Group invested in excess of N$12.3 million in community initiatives during the past financial year of July 2016 to June 2017.”

O&L still has future development plans for the school and Locke says they include relocating the modern classrooms that are built from refurbished containers to new premises once land becomes available and fully serviced by the local authority. “Furthermore, ongoing general support ranging from product donations to distribution of teaching aids and school bags, will not only benefit Monte Christo Primary Project School but also the Moses Garoëb Primary Project school in Havana, Katutura that together accommodates approximately 2,232 orphaned or vulnerable learners,” Locke adds.

The O&L Group Executive Chairman, Sven Thieme emphasized on the importance to stay committed, and for the nation to stand together in supporting the country’s education sector. Thieme: “While we are on this journey of building and sustaining our nation, we have to be cognizant of the reality that education plays a significant role on this journey of growth and development. The success of our education system, as well as the development of the nation is a collective responsibility. We are proud to be associated to the development of the Monte Christo Primary Project School, as well as all other entities we support in the education sector. Education is a key pillar of the O&L Corporate Social Investment (CSI) agenda, and is aligned to our value “We Grow People”. It is imperative that we all take hands to ensure we maximize our investment into education as we truly believe that an investment in education and skills development is an investment into our future, and this is something we are passionate about.”

Pull-out quote 1: “These classrooms simply have a great impact on the entire school’s attitude. The classrooms have all the necessities for a proper learning environment. They even have air-conditioners. It is so awesome.” Elizabeth Murangi, principal of Monte Christo Primary Project School.

Pull-out quote 2: “We are proud to be associated to the development of the Monte Christo Primary Project School, as well as all other entities we support in the education sector.” – Sven Thieme, group executive chairman of O&L.