The Kunene Regional Council on Tuesday launched the construction of the Otjorungondo Secondary School at Opuwo, a N$28.2-million development project.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, director of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture in the Kunene region Sophia Frederick said the project forms part of phase two of the education ministry’s decongestion plan under the theme ‘Build Now for Future’.
The school will have 20 classrooms, two vocational workshops for home science and fashion and fabrics, science and computer laboratories, an administration block, and a library.
Frederick said the project is envisioned as the first phase of a future boarding school aimed at increasing the number of secondary schools at Opuwo to at least three.
“We need to work together to turn this dream into reality. We need to join hands and lobby for support,” she said.
She said the initiative is responding to the growing demand for secondary education in the Opuwo and Epupa circuits, while also promoting vocational training and practical skills development among pupils.
Frederick said several infrastructure developments completed in the region since 2024 include the construction of 72 classrooms, three science laboratories, three libraries, four hostel blocks and 10 ablution facilities across 14 schools.
New schools established under the programme include Okapundja Primary School, Kunene Resource School Phase One, Outjo Primary Project School and Outjo Secondary Project School.
Frederick revealed that major renovations are currently underway at Mureti High School, while boreholes are expected to be drilled at 19 schools, mainly in the Opuwo Rural and Epupa constituencies.
Frederick urged the contractor, NTA-K Hapu Investment, to accelerate construction and prioritise local recruitment to ensure the project also benefits surrounding communities economically.
The Otjorungondo Secondary School is expected to open its doors to Grade 8 and Grade 10 pupils by 2027.
– Nampa
