Marythar Kambinda
KATIMA MULILO - The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, as the implementing Agency of the Education and Training Quality Improvement Project received financial support of N$1 billion from the African Development Bank.
This loan is augmented by a government contribution of N$400 million, being the counterpart co-funding this initiative. The project is being implemented for a period of five years, effective from 28 March 2018 in all 14 regions.
Caprivi Senior Secondary School in Zambezi region which is one of the beneficiaries of the Education and Training Quality Improvement Project (ETQIP) under the AfDB, had construction work carried out at the school and was also renovated at a cost of just over
N$ 75 million, which included eight new classrooms, new administration block, kitchen and dining hall, multi-purpose hall, teachers’ and Hostel Staff accommodation, two ablution facilities, three hostel blocks and other accessories.
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Anna Nghipondoka stated during the handover that the ministry is challenged with a shortage of basic education facilities nationwide.
The minister emphasised that the newly renovated and constructed facilities at Caprivi SSS will bring much joy and relief to the learners, staff members, parents, regional office, and indeed the town of Katima Mulilo.
“I know that the girls’ hostel block in particular, used to be flooded during the rainy season. This used to cause a disturbance in the teaching and learning schedule of the school and create unhygienic conditions,” said Nghipondoka.
As a school with 1 400 learners, the added classrooms will also go a long way in addressing the issue of overcrowded classrooms because the demand for school grows from year to year, said Nghipondoka.
Nghipondoka further stated that the overall objectives of this ETQIP under the AfDB are to contribute towards the development of an efficient, effective and sustainable technical, vocational education and training system in Namibia that is aligned with the current and future skills of the labour market in the country.
To contribute to Namibia’s national goals and targets set in the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) as well as creating additional jobs, reduce poverty and youth unemployment as stated in the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), including supporting the development of basic, higher education and technical vocational education and training (TVET) infrastructure in all 14 regions, as well as to strengthen the basic and TVET education system in the country through institutional capacity building, added Nghipondoka.
The minister further called for more coordinated partnerships with the private sector to ensure domestic resources mobilisation to finance education.
“This will enhance and take our ‘Friends of Education in Namibia Special Initiative’ to a different level, in order to ensure that these facilities serve a purpose of bringing conductivity, harmony, peace of mind and improving the quality of teaching and learning processes,” she said.