Julia Kamarenga 

The Ernst Meyer Primary School received a newly constructed hostel block. The state-of-the-art facility comprises of girls and boys hostel, matrons’ quarters, kitchen and a dining hall. 

The facility will be home to 182 learners, eight supervisors and three childcare matrons on a separate block.

The contractors, Shanxi Construction Investment Group Ltd also built three separate blocks which will accommodate six teachers using the savings from the budget, at no extra cost.

The hostel construction project is the second in the region to be funded by the African Development Bank alongside the Epukiro Secondary School hostel.

In a speech read on her behalf, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka said the country’s aims cannot be attained in isolation but require continued sustained collaboration and partnership as it has become a sustained commitment from the African Development Bank.

The minister said the Ernst Meyer project, situated about 50 kilometres from the region’s capital Gobabis, came at the right time as the ministry of education is challenged with a shortage of basic education facilities nationwide.

Nghipondoka said the government has over the years committed to allocating funds annually to build classrooms and basic education infrastructure and thousands of them have been built. 

She revealed that the ministry, as the implementing agency of the Education and Training Quality Improvement Project, received financial support of N$1 billion from the African Development Bank.

While showing appreciation to the commitment of the African Development Bank and other “friends of education” who have come on board through their social corporate responsibility arm, the minister called on those contracted by government to be considerate of their expected sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability to the development of this country through supporting education initiatives. 

With news of lack of hostel facilities and accommodation for teachers making headlines, acting principal of the Ernst Meyer Primary School, Trougoth Kandorozu urged learners to appreciate the facility and avoid vandalism.

“Proper maintenance will be ensured by coming up with a plan and creating awareness campaigns against vandalism to ensure that the facility remains in the same condition for a long time,” he said. 

Omaheke’s chief regional officer, Pecka Semba praised the contractors for their dedication to timely delivery and said it is a gesture to be emulated. 

Semba, who reminded the learners that there are schools in and outside the region that do not have the kind of facilities that they received.

He also referred to teachers who are living in mudrooms or lessons taking place under trees, thus called for commitment towards education.

He also indicated that schools such as the Drimiopsis Primary School and many others in the region are still in a dilapidated state and in need of urgent attention.

On his part, Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate urged the learners to work hard and ensure academic excellence so they become the cream of their communities.

The Epukiro hostel which is currently being constructed and getting a face-lift to the tune of N$62 million is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Caption: (Hostel) New… The Ernst Meyer Primary School in the Omaheke region received a newly constructed hostel block.

Photo: MICT