Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba has called on all stakeholders in the education fraternity to join hands with the government in addressing challenges facing the education sector. Pohamba said this during the renaming of the Oshidute Combined School to Hifikepunye Pohamba Combined School on Friday in the Ohangwena region.
He said it is true that sustainable and meaningful socio-economic development requires significant investments in education.
“As a nation, we need medical doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers and many other professionals. Therefore, education needs collective efforts from each and every Namibian to meet the government halfway,” he added.
Pohamba urged parents to recognise the important part that educated members of their communities will play, and to encourage their children to follow in their footsteps.
“I am informed that this school has embarked on a project of constructing a science laboratory which, when completed, will require teaching and learning materials, computers, chairs and desks. I am, therefore, calling upon our business community, especially local business entities, to join the friends of education and sponsor different kinds of teaching and learning materials in order for the school to be able to construct the required science laboratory,” Pohamba stressed.
Also speaking at the same event, Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was named the school’s patron, said for the school to become a top performer and centre of excellence, it requires more qualified teachers and both teaching staff, learners and the community to work together to ensure that the school shines.
“In return, qualified teachers are expected to do things right by way of delivering quality work with a common objective to achieve the desired school results,” she added.
Education minister Anna Nghipondoka said despite the challenges faced by her ministry, the government will continue to prioritise the education sector to ensure that the Namibian child receives quality education.
The school has 401 learners, including San children.