By George Sanzila
SINGALAMWE – Singalamwe Combined School, situated 130 kilometres west of Katima Mulilo in Zambezi region, last week received ICT equipment worth N$80 000.
The equipment that was funded by Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) through its social responsibility programme comprised of computers, projectors and printer machines.
At the handing-over ceremony the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi, said technology continues to play a vital part in improving education particularly in rural areas.
“This contribution which we are making this morning in the form of computer equipment to the school is in recognition of the vital role and place of technology in education as espoused in government’s high level statements such as vision 2030, NDP4 and ETSIP,” he noted.
Kamwi appealed for a collective effort from stakeholders in order to bridge the digital divide existing between urban and rural schools.
“Although availability of the latest technologies score improves to 6.0 from 5.5 in 2011 according to the NDP4, access to technology at primary and secondary schools is perceived as very low, particularly in rural schools of this country such as Singalamwe Combined School,” stated Kamwi further.
He remarked the donation came at an opportune time when the school which has had a dismal performance over the years has set itself a benchmark of 75 percent pass rate this year.
“In order to attain the 75 percent pass rate, this donation will play a big part. Government is doing enough but the onus lies with us. We have assisted many schools with similar needs and they have proven to us by producing good results. It is our collective responsibility to also guard these equipment,” he said.
Singalamwe Combined School is among rural schools located within a conservancy area in the Zambezi region and this continues to pose a great risk to learners that are vulnerable to wild animal attacks. Some learners are compelled to walk long distances to attend school.
As a temporary measure, the school has decided that learners should camp at the school.
The community further appealed for a clinic in the area from the health minister with the closest clinic said to be located over 5 kilometres away. Insufficient classrooms is another challenge being faced by the school