KATIMA MULILO – In efforts aimed at bolstering the performance of San learners the University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo campus recently organised a four-day learning session with the learners of Ndoro Memorial Combined School.
The school, which predominantly has San learners, is one of the schools that performed poorly last year in Zambezi Region.
It was expected at the end of the training session that learners and teachers alike would be fully equipped with the necessary skills and subject content. The targeted subjects include mathematics, physical science, geography, life science and agricultural science.
According to school principal, Linus Sipopo, learning at the school is hampered by the lack of facilities – among them science apparatus that complements the learning process.
“Our learners want to learn practically. We have no science kit for our learners. We can’t talk of a microscope without learners physically seeing it. The hands-on approach is very important. This is why we approached Unam to help us out. Once the training workshop is done we expect our learners to be inspired and motivated,” he said.
Sipopo noted the exercise would help improve learners’ results following the school’s dismal performance last year, and appealed to donors for funding to help improve the school’s facilities.
“At the end of the day, results will be improved. We appeal to good Samaritans to sponsor us with a science kit so that other grades also have access. This will put our learners on an equal footing with other learners in the country and for the betterment of San learners,” said Sipopo.
Unam Katima Mulilo Campus Director, Dr Bennet Kangumu, said that Unam being a partner in education was more than willing to assist the school. “Our government has gone a step further to recognise you as a special group needing special attention. Education is a collective effort and we are happy to have partnered with you in this training session. This is within our mandate of teaching, research and community service. The purpose is to expose you beyond what happens in the classroom,” noted Kangumu.
By George Sanzila