FORMER president of Finland Martti Ahtisaari yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the primary school in Wanaheda, Windhoek, which was named in his honour.
Upon his arrival at Martti Ahtisaari Primary School, he was greeted by Grade 7 pupils, who sang songs of praise and waved Namibian and Finnish flags. This is Ahtisaari’s second visit to the school since 2009.
Ahtisaari expressed gratitude to the pupils, the principal, teachers and all staff members for their generosity. He said he was blessed and privileged to have a school named after him. “I am privileged to be here today. I thank you,” he said.
The school was founded in 1991 and has 1 554 pupils.
The number of pupils per class ranges between 38 and 41.
It only changed its name to Martti Ahtisaari Primary School in 1997. Besides the principal, the school has five heads of departments and 45 teachers for both morning and afternoon classes.
The school is supported by the Teachers’ Union of Finland which has given financial support for purchasing of learning materials for pupils.
Since 2003, the school has also received support from the Finland Pasila’s Rotary Club, which has provided scholarships for top performing pupils, apart from financing sports equipment and books for the school’s library. Last year the club signed an agreement with the school to start an exchange programme for teachers in the two countries.
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