RUNDU – While acknowledging that a myriad of interventions have been undertaken, resulting in significant strides, education-related challenges persist, particularly in rural areas.
This was said by Kavango East governor Bonifatius Wakudumo, who added that the region is struggling to deliver quality education in its rural areas, as most schools have poor infrastructures, among other challenges.
“To address this, the regional government has invested in the construction of new classrooms and the provision of learning materials to ensure quality education for all our children. This has resulted in a high enrolment rate of 76 281 learners in the 2023 academic year,’’ he said while delivering his state of the region address (Sora) recently.
He added that the region has, as part of the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, made considerable investment in the construction and completion of four new schools, 35 classrooms, seven administration blocks and 15 storeroom facilities at Sigurugu Junior Primary, Rebeca Kambundu Senior Primary, Divundu Combined School, Rundu Project School, Ndama Combined School, Matumbo Ribebe Secondary School, Divundu Combined and Diyana Combined School.
The schools cost a combined N$24 million to build.
Furthermore, 41 emergency classrooms and 10 storerooms were constructed at Ndama South Project Junior Primary School, Rebeka Kambundu Senior Primary School and Kehemu Secondary School Project, all consisting of classroom blocks, storerooms, ablution facilities and water tower installations to the tune of N$21.8 million.
Furthermore, the Pupkewitz Foundation and Prime Health Namibia funded the construction of eight classrooms and a storeroom at Kehemu Junior Primary as well as two classrooms at Shikoro Junior Primary School, respectively.
“To ensure an equitable learning environment, classrooms at Kayanga Senior Primary, Dr Romanus Kampungu Secondary and Robert Mushongo Primary School were renovated during the period under review,’’ he noted.
“Maintenance and repairs were also carried out at Omega Combined School hostel on their freezer room and cold storage, Marthin Ndumba Combined School, Maria Mwengere Secondary School, Maria Mwengere Cultural Centre, Likwaterera Senior Primary School Hostel and Omega Combined School Hostel,’’ he said.
Also, during the period under the microscope, the region procured and installed cooking pots and frying pans at the following hostels: Martin Ndumba Secondary School, Divundu Combined School Hostel, Max Makushe Secondary School, Ndiyona Combined School and Dr Romanus Kampungu Secondary School.
The repair of Max Makushe Secondary School’s sewer pond and the installation of a sewerage reticulation system at Sauyemwa Junior Primary School were also among the highlights of the Sora.
“At the same time, construction of a security fence and the repair of the sewerage plant at Divundu Combined School were also completed to the tune of N$3.5 million,” he said. The region also invested in the early childhood development (ECD) programmes, resulting in the completion of the pending works at Diva Meho Zoge ECD Centre in Rundu’s Kaisosi location.
The region also completed ECD project at Mutwarantja village in the Rundu Rural constituency and Shamaghongo ECD Centre in Mukwe constituency.
“This was done at a combined amount of N$3.1 million on projects abandoned by the previous contractors,’’ he noted.
Wakudumo also highlighted the fencing of the Martin Kanyondi ECD Centre in Ndiyona constituency and boundary fencing at Shaghaya, which was successfully completed at a cost of N$293 308.