OLUKOLO – The Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana together with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over 11 classrooms to the Ministry of Education.
The eleven classrooms that were built at a cost of over N$3.3 million from the UNHCR coffers through the home affairs ministry were constructed at three schools in three regions.
The beneficiary schools are Ndamana Combined School in Kavango East, Olukolo Primary School in Oshana Region and Karundu Combined School in Otjozondjupa Region.
During the recent handing over of two of the 11 classrooms and a storeroom at Olukolo Primary School, UNHCR Country Representative Dr Lawrence Mgbangson said the classrooms would help to avoid congestion at local schools that may come with the integration of former Angolan refugees into the Namibian society.
“Angolans that are reintegrated should not cause congestion so that Namibian children may end up not getting space in school,” stated Mgbangson.
Iivula-Ithana said the classrooms were built as part of refugee protection efforts and the promotion of the welfare of both Namibians and former Angolan refugees who are locally integrated.
This, according to the home affairs minister, is in line with Namibia’s humanitarian approach to refugees and asylum seekers who find themselves in Namibia.
The UN Convention defines “refugee” as a person who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.
“The Namibian Government remains committed to the people, fostering respect for international law and treaty obligations as provided for under Article 96 (d) of the Namibian constitution,” Iivula-Ithana explained
Outgoing Minister of Education Dr David Namwandi who received the classrooms said the UNHCR’s efforts to build outside Osire refugee camp where thousands of refugees have been accommodated for years is an indication the United Nations organisation is moving towards the integration of former Angolan refugees’ children into the larger Namibian population.
“We acknowledge that the addition of these buildings at a total cost of N$3.3 million is aimed at facilitating these continued efforts to address this situation with the resources at our disposal.
“However, a coin has two sides and the other side of this coin brings hope and happiness. With these classrooms the child is guaranteed to gain knowledge,” said Namwandi.
Namwandi maintained the new classrooms would support learning now and in the future.
He urged the schools that benefited from the UNHCR initiative to jealously guard the buildings.