THE deputy minister of education, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, says a lot of schools in Namibia are still in a terrible state, making it difficult for quality teaching and learning to take place.
Nghipondoka said this while receiving school facilities renovated through the Sanlam blue ladder schools project at the Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School (SSS) at Eenhana in the Ohangwena region on Friday.
Sanlam Namibia, through this project introduced at the company’s 100-year anniversary celebrations in June this year, committed N$3 million towards teaching and learning improvement throughout three years. Of this, N$1 million was allocated towards renovating the Haimbili Haufiku SSS facilities.
The facilities repaired include classrooms, the computer and science labs, and the school library.
Nghipondoka said due to the country’s educational needs, which the ministry alone cannot address, companies like Sanlam have come in to take hands and assist the education sector.
Sanlam also saw the need to ensure that leadership training and capacity-building were provided. The company, in partnership with the Rössing Foundation, gave training and capacity-building to the school’s management, the school board and teachers.
“It is satisfying to see big organisations such as yourselves giving back to the community in which you operate,” Nghipondoka told Sanlam chief executive officer, Tertius Stears, who handed over the renovated facilities.
In turn, Stears concurred with Nghipondoka by saying that the education of a Namibian child is the shared and collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
“Sanlam, in conjunction with our partners, decided to embark upon this noble initiative of improving the teaching and learning environment at the Haimbili Haufiku Secondary School,” he continued. He pointed out that his company invested the N$1 million in the school to improve the learning and teaching environment with the ultimate aim of improving the performance and quality of education at the school.
Haimbili Haufiku SSS was nationally selected due to its continuous good performance.
Stears said the school’s computer lab had been refurbished by installing computer desks and air conditioners, as well as acquiring computers to the tune of N$200 000, while bookshelves have been installed in the library, and some new books provided.
The Eenhana Vocational Training Centre, which was the project contractor, donated chairs and desks to the school during the handover of the renovated facilities.
– Nampa
