ONGWEDI VA - T h e Gymnas ium private school board has embarked on a project to build the Oshana Gymnasium private school in Ompundja circuit, Ongwediva.
The new school is expected to officially open its doors in January next year, starting off with pre-primary and primary school classes.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, the mayor of Ongwediva, Taraah Shalyefu said the envisaged private school will have a holistic approach to learning and development that would boost confidence and promote independent thinking by pupils.
“The new school will be a haven of knowledge, a place where young minds will be nurtured and developed to become leaders of tomorrow,” said the mayor.
Shalyefu added that, education is the foundation of a prosperous society and urged all stakeholders to create a dynamic learning environment that nurtures creativity, innovation and critical thinking.
According to the managing director of Prosperity Education, Colette Rieckert, the school will offer the best academic standards with every child getting optimal opportunities to grow within themselves.
“We expect to start off with 200 to 250 pupils. We already have a huge demand, with citizens of Angola showing an interest in sending their children to the school. About 1 500 pupils in total are expected to enrol at the school after the completion of the construction in seven to eight years,” said Rieckert.
She also said the school’s social contribution is accommodating 10% of the pupils at the high school who have scholarships.
“Every child deserves a very good quality education,” said Rieckert.
The Oshana director of education, Hileni Amukana said there are 152 schools in the region of which 25 are private schools with 10 of those private schools in the Ompundja circuit.
Amukana emphasised the importance of support and collaboration between the private schools and the ministry.
“We have a very good standing collaboration with private schools when it comes to education delivery. Through collaboration and working together we can always deliver in the best interest of the Namibian children,” said Amukana.