Ongwediva
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and his wife Penehupifo Pohamba donated N$1.4 million to the Okanghudi Combined School in Ohangwena Region for the construction of two hostel blocks.
The hostel blocks will accommodate learners who daily trek long distances to and from school. Many of the learners have erected makeshift tents around the school vicinity to avoid walking the long distances.
Okanghudi Combined School, which is situated in the former president’s village of Okanghudi, was established in 1982 with only a few learners, but today hosts 739 pupils of whom 95 are in Grade 10.
Pohamba urged the learners to take their education seriously, saying that they are not the only ones who are “sleeping outside”.
“Study – education is the key to human development. It is only through education that the country can achieve the set development plans and Vision 2030.”
Receiving the donation the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, said the ministry would build a dining hall, a kitchen and erect a fence around the school.
The school seems to be fortunate with donations. Almost every block at the school, including the housing for teachers and the library, were donated.
Three classrooms were donated by Norway after the former president appealed to Norway to assist in classroom funding.
In 2013, three classrooms were donated by businessman Ben Hauwanga.
Oshikango businessman Diamond promised to donate furniture.
But Rado Dumeni the principal accused the government of doing very little for the school.
According to Dumeni, the school has only received three classrooms from the ministry.
However, with the little assistance from government the school has been able to hold the fort and has an average pass rate of above 50 percent.
In 2011, the school was awarded as the most improved school in the region.