WINDHOEK– The Ministry of Education has received 50 000 pens and close to N$11 000 in cash donations destined for disadvantaged and rural schools across the country.
The donations, received from BIC pens and Commercial Investment Corporation (CIC) will benefit learners in the regions of Ohangwena, //Karas, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Kunene, Kavango West, Kavango East and Khomas. Informs Gerard Vries, Director of Education for the Khomas region. “I have seen concrete evidence of partners in education coming together, discussing needs, addressing challenges and finding concrete solutions to the benefit of the Namibian child and BIC and CIC’s efforts and donation is evidence of the intangible public-private partnerships,’’ said Vries at the handing over of the donations. The handing over ceremony took place last week at A.I Steenkamp Primary School in Katutura.
Vries said the sixteen schools benefitting were nominated through the respective directorates of education within the Ministry of Education. “The delivery of pens to the school will be facilitated by the Ministry of Education and will be delivered as soon as possible to ensure that this is important learning tool, that is pens, reach learners soon enough”, he said. Stationery giant, BIC, launched an international campaign called “choose BIC and change a future’’ to make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of Namibian learners and consumers. “Selective BIC products carry a ‘buy me and will donate one pen’ sticker, for every pack sold in retail stores. We commit to donating a pen to a disadvantaged child. Along with BIC’s donation, CIC joined the campaign by committing to donate N$1 for unit sold,” said Ian Stander, Division Sales Manager for CIC.
Stander added that the ability to read and write well is an essential aspect in success at school or later in life, career advancement and tertiary study. “The more you write, the better the writer you will become. To do that you need the most obvious thing, a pen. The skill of writing is something that is learned and can be perfected with practice,” he noted. He further explained that the 50 000 pens donated by BIC on behalf of its customers will be distributed to schools countrywide. “BIC’s contribution, therefore makes it possible for 50 000 children to have access to their own pens,” he added.
Vries said at the start of 2013 school year, the Namibian government through the Ministry of Education introduced Universal Primary Education to relieve learners and parents from the pressure of paying school development funds. He noted that Universal Primary Education is a tuition-free education provision to all children enrolled in the primary education phase (Grade 0 to 7). The government through the Ministry of Education has since taken full responsibility for providing all resources required for the operation of schools.
“Therefore, your donation complements government’s efforts to ensure that schools have adequate learning tools, and stationery for all learners in the schooling environment. A pen is a very important tool. Without it a learner or teacher cannot jot down notes and subject summaries. You cannot even sit for your test or fill in the questionnaires without using a pen,” he concluded.