Children should be a priority – Nandi-Ndaitwah

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

Deputy prime minister and international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said on Monday that the well-being of children should be prioritised.

“In every plan or programme we intend to carry out, we must place the children’s well-being at the centre.

“As we continue to implement Agenda 2063, we must ensure that measurable results, identified priority areas, specific targets we have set, and strategies and policy measures we need to implement must put the needs of the children first,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah was speaking during the handing over of chairs, desks, and laundry machines to the School of the Visually Impaired in Khomasdal, Windhoek, as part of the 60th Africa Day anniversary celebration.

Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked African diplomats in Namibia for donating the items.

She said the gesture demonstrates a commitment for ensuring no African child is excluded.

“Your choice of this school is a clear testimony and demonstration of your total commitment that no African child shall remain behind in preparing them now and in the future for the task ahead of shaping the future well-being of Africans.

“There is no doubt that the generous donation you have given to the school will go a long way in making a difference in the lives of the current and future generations of this school,” she said.

The ambassadors teamed up with Standard Bank, which also donated fencing materials to the school.

Angolan ambassador Jovelina Imperial e Costa said the diplomats decided to celebrate Africa Day with the visually impaired pupils, and the donation was meant to create a conducive environment for the youth.

“As such, the special school needs the support and contribution of each one of us.

“So that these young people can graduate and grow up without difficulties in terms of preparing themselves for future challenges,” said Costa, who is also the dean of the African heads of mission.

She said the support also included the renovation of the school.

After the rehabilitation, Costa said they will deliver the rest of the materials, which include computers, scientific calculators, and braille machines.

Unicef’s representative in Namibia, Rachel Odede, said the donation shows the organisation’s commitment to serve the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach.

“Inclusive education is one of the most effective tools we have to transform education in Africa and indeed in Namibia,” she said.

The School of the Visually Impaired offers classes to pupils with special needs from pre-primary to Grade 10.

The school was established 25 years ago and currently has 150 pupils and 26 staff members.

Khomas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua pledged to ensure that the donated materials are kept safe for the benefit of the pupils.

“Let me thank the group for selecting this school, and I must assure you that this donation will create space for change to improve the learning and teaching environment at the special school,” she said.

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