Public schools receive funding

SIX schools in the Khomas and Kavango West regions last week received N$5 million from the Japanese embassy that will assist in building classes for 6 500 pupils.

The funds were donated by the embassy for the grassroots human security project which is aimed at uplifting disadvantaged communities with basic needs such as education, agriculture and health.

Japanese ambassador Hideyuki Sakamoto requested that the grant be fully utilised to improve the learning environment for these pupils.

“More focus on school projects comes from Japan’s own experiences that educating children forms a strong foundation for nation-building,” he noted.

Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa expressed her gratitude to the Japanese embassy for the new classrooms and storerooms that will be built. She encouraged that the structures be kept free from vandalism.

“Quality education can and will be achieved for every Namibian,” she said.

The minister will be addressing principals nationwide at the end of March to touch on the issues that help “schools flourish or collapse”.

The classrooms will be built by local contractors using local products. Constructions will start with immediate effect, and they have a six-months’ completion period.

Khomas regional education director Gerard Vries noted that there will be a retention amount which will be used for repairs.

Four schools in the Khomas region, namely Augeikhas Primary School, Groot Aub Primary School, Martti Ahtisaari Primary School and Tobias Hainyeko Primary School will be supported in their efforts to abolish the double session system.

Meanwhile, two schools in the Kavango West region, being the Ncagu Combined School and the Ntara Combined School, will use the funds to build permanent structures as the pupils are currently taught in tents and under trees.

Acting principal of Groot Aub Primary School Judika April expressed her gratitude, adding that the funds will be used to make room for Grade 3 pupils who are currently being taught in the afternoon.

The school recently received newly built classroom blocks from the Pupkewitz Foundation, and furniture from the First National Bank of Namibia Holdings Foundation Trust.

The Japanese government has implemented 54 projects to date in Namibia, including these six new projects.