WINDHOEK – As part of activities leading up to the commemoration of Namibia’s 25th independence silver jubilee, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) this week kicked-off a schools debate and civic education programme for selected schools within the Khomas Region. The debate and civic education programme is aimed at understanding learners’ views on historical events that led to the independence of Namibia as well as their expectations from the President-elect, Dr Hage Geingob, and the new Cabinet.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, MICT campaigns manager Shasimana Uugulu said the programme is also aimed at giving learners a platform to hone their debating skills while proposing solutions to social challenges that learners and students are faced with.
He added that participating teams are being given medals and certificates and winning teams are given trophies.
According to him, Namibia’s future at 25 years looks bright, as the country’s founding fathers have paved a way whereby all Namibians, irrespective of their background, can excel and succeed in different sectors of the economy and noted that learners at schools have a good understanding on the need for Namibians to strengthen their national identity.
“As you may be aware, our ministry is co-ordinating the implementation of the Nationhood and National Pride campaign, which was launched by His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2011. So these school debates are one of the platforms we are using to encourage our youths to build a strong sense of national identity and pride and also engage them to propose solutions to social challenges that we are faced with,” further elaborated Uugulu.
He noted that the country continues to be faced with numerous social challenges such as gender-based violence, vandalism of public properties, teenage pregnancies, incidents of tribalism and racism, alcohol and drug abuse among the youth as well as well lack of respect towards national symbols which he said need the attention of a multitude of stakeholders in order to be addressed.