Aletta Shikololo
WINDHOEK – The Road Fund Administration (RFA) yesterday announced a sponsorship commitment towards remedial classes to be conducted at Oshapapa Junior Secondary School in the Oshikoto region as part of an initiative aimed at promoting education in the region through EduSense Namibia.
The classes will commence next week Tuesday. EduSense Namibia came into action following the launch of “Friends of Education in Namibia Special Initiative” by the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.
The project which was initiated in 2017, specifically targets grade 9 and 12 learners by providing additional tutorials and remedial intercessions and thus improve their academic results in English, Mathematics and Physical Science. The high failure rate in Oshikoto Region, resulted in the region losing its second position on the national examinations rankings, after falling to fifth position.
“This is a pilot programme and is only for rural schools in Oshikoto region. However, with the availability of resources, the programme will be expanded beyond the Oshikoto region,” said EduSense Executive Director Setson Iyambo while speaking to New Era,
Iyambo is optimistic that the programme will translate into better performance amongst rural schools in the region. He also assured RFA that the funds will be used for its intended purposes and that reports of the performance will be availed.
“My aim has always been to meaningfully contribute to education in the country,” Iyambo added.
EduSense Namibia embarked on soliciting financial assistance from corporate Namibia including the RFA to fund the three-month pilot study.
Iyambo said the selected tutors are subject specialists recommended by the Advisory Services from Oshikoto Regional Education Directorate.
“RFA aims to address some of the socio-economic backlogs experienced by the previously disadvantaged communities. Support for education and training programmes is amongst the priority areas identified in the RFA’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy” said the RFA Executive for Corporate Services, Patricia Keeja at the sponsorship ceremony.