Taking hands for education

Another milestone for education was celebrated when 20 classrooms, two storage rooms and two ablution blocks were officially handed over in Windhoek last week.
Mariselle Stofberg
Mariselle Stofberg

On Friday, 25 February, the official handover ceremony of the 20 classrooms constructed by August 26 at three schools in Windhoek took place.

Rocky Crest Primary School and Otjomuise Primary School each received four classrooms and a storage room valued at N$1.2 million.

Westmond High School received 12 classrooms and two ablution blocks to the value of N$3.6 million.

“The government of Namibia, through the National Planning Commission, has provided funding to the value of N$800 million towards the Covid-19 Infrastructure Development Programme, being implemented in all 14 regions. This programme is aimed at addressing shortages of water and ablution facilities, including rehabilitation of dysfunctional and not-in-use toilet blocks,” said Ester Anna Nghipondoka, the minister of education, arts and culture.

“The component of classroom construction in the Khomas Region is aimed at providing facilities at a few schools where children receive education in potentially health-compromising conditions. I believe the inclusion of classroom facilities is providing a dual solution. This includes proactively mitigating against Covid-19 while at the same time, providing conducive education facilities to the Namibian children,” she added.

Nghipondoka stressed the importance for schools, teachers and learners to utilise the classrooms for the purpose they were built for. “These classrooms need to be used for quality teaching and learning to provide quality educational outcomes. It is only in a quality and conducive environment where children and teachers are peaceful and feel contented that they will do a good job with piece of mind. An environment can impact teaching and learning, and it is with a happy heart that I am inaugurating these classrooms today,” she added.

The acting managing director of August 26, Martha Endjala, said the project at Westmond High School was completed in four months, while the projects at Rocky Crest and Otjomuise were completed in just two months.

“By providing these infrastructures, learners and teachers can go on with their business in a classroom setting, preparing helpful future leaders and problem solvers for the national and social responsibilities ahead of them,” Endjala added.

Steve Kaangundue, the acting director of the Khomas directorate of education, urged schools to use these classrooms responsibly and effectively. “I urge our learners to take good care of these facilities so your children and your children’s children can come and use these facilities in the future. Today serves as a remarkable example of what is possible with the cooperation between public institutions,” he said.

The governor of the Khomas Region, Laura McLeod-Katjirua, also present at the handover, was excited about the opportunities created by the facilities and said they would contribute to the quality and standard of education in the country.

All three schools expressed sincere gratitude for the classrooms and facilities, saying they would play an integral role in providing quality education.

“We know our learners are eternally grateful and we will not disappoint our ministry. We as a school community appreciate all that has been done for our learners, staff and community at large,” said Awie Saal, the principal of Otjomuise Primary School.