NCT opens purse to education
26 February 2020 | Local News
The Namibian Community Trust (NCT) this month officially handed over a fully furnished four-classroom block and erected a fence at Pandureni Combined School in Kavango West, which faces a number of challenges.
This follows pictures of learners being taught in temporary structures going viral on social media, which caught the attention of the NCT.
The four-classroom block and the fencing at the school was constructed at a cost of just over N$1.9 million.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, NCT trustee Foibe Namene said after seeing a picture of learners being taught under harsh conditions, they decided to do something.
“I know there are many others, as they say a picture speaks a thousand words; the pictures brought tears to my eyes as a parent and grandparent. I must say this brought sadness to my heart seeing our learners receiving education in harsh conditions. We all have dreams for our children; those dreams can only be achieved if there is a helping hand out there,” Namene said.
“The NCT then decided to be the helping hand and provide a financial investment to the value of N$1 939 900 for the construction of four fully-furnished classrooms and the fencing of the school yard. We are very pleased to see the successful completion of the project.”
Namene also used the opportunity to applaud the teachers at the school who are committed to the course of educating learners, although conditions were not conducive.
Namene appealed to all education stakeholders to play their part in assisting the Namibian child.
“The education of children is a necessary obligation of parenting. It is not enough to leave it to the teachers alone. It is also not enough to simply provide uniforms, food and materials. You must invest your time. You are the mirror through which your children see life. Please help them with their homework, visit their schools without notice and see what they are doing and in what conditions it is being done,” she said.
Pandureni Combined School principal Alfons Hamutenya thanked the NCT for the donation, saying it could not have arrived at a better time.
Hamutenya explained that the school was forced to construct temporary structures to accommodate the increased number of learners who have been enrolled at the school.
“In 2019 the number of learners at our school increased and we could no longer accommodate all of them in the permanent structures, which led to some unfortunately having to be taught in the temporary structures,” Hamutenya said.
He added a concerned citizen then exposed the situation on social media, which led to the NCT extending a helping hand.
“On behalf of the parents, community, learners as well as the teachers, we would like to thank the NCT for your generosity towards the Namibian child and the community at large,” an excited Hamutenya said.
Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku, in a speech read on her behalf, underscored the importance of investing in education.
Ausiku pointed out that although her region is among the poorest in the country, as per the Poverty Mapping Report of 2015, the situation will change for the better if continuous investment in education takes place.
“Therefore, the four-classroom block donated is not simply an exercise of conformity, but your commitment is to help us address educational challenges in our region,” Ausiku said.
“We all know that the provision of quality education is a joint undertaking by government, the business community, parents and all our partners in education. This contribution is a vivid testimony that education is a collective responsibility. Thank you NCT for acting and reminding us all.”
Kenya Kambowe
This follows pictures of learners being taught in temporary structures going viral on social media, which caught the attention of the NCT.
The four-classroom block and the fencing at the school was constructed at a cost of just over N$1.9 million.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony, NCT trustee Foibe Namene said after seeing a picture of learners being taught under harsh conditions, they decided to do something.
“I know there are many others, as they say a picture speaks a thousand words; the pictures brought tears to my eyes as a parent and grandparent. I must say this brought sadness to my heart seeing our learners receiving education in harsh conditions. We all have dreams for our children; those dreams can only be achieved if there is a helping hand out there,” Namene said.
“The NCT then decided to be the helping hand and provide a financial investment to the value of N$1 939 900 for the construction of four fully-furnished classrooms and the fencing of the school yard. We are very pleased to see the successful completion of the project.”
Namene also used the opportunity to applaud the teachers at the school who are committed to the course of educating learners, although conditions were not conducive.
Namene appealed to all education stakeholders to play their part in assisting the Namibian child.
“The education of children is a necessary obligation of parenting. It is not enough to leave it to the teachers alone. It is also not enough to simply provide uniforms, food and materials. You must invest your time. You are the mirror through which your children see life. Please help them with their homework, visit their schools without notice and see what they are doing and in what conditions it is being done,” she said.
Pandureni Combined School principal Alfons Hamutenya thanked the NCT for the donation, saying it could not have arrived at a better time.
Hamutenya explained that the school was forced to construct temporary structures to accommodate the increased number of learners who have been enrolled at the school.
“In 2019 the number of learners at our school increased and we could no longer accommodate all of them in the permanent structures, which led to some unfortunately having to be taught in the temporary structures,” Hamutenya said.
He added a concerned citizen then exposed the situation on social media, which led to the NCT extending a helping hand.
“On behalf of the parents, community, learners as well as the teachers, we would like to thank the NCT for your generosity towards the Namibian child and the community at large,” an excited Hamutenya said.
Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku, in a speech read on her behalf, underscored the importance of investing in education.
Ausiku pointed out that although her region is among the poorest in the country, as per the Poverty Mapping Report of 2015, the situation will change for the better if continuous investment in education takes place.
“Therefore, the four-classroom block donated is not simply an exercise of conformity, but your commitment is to help us address educational challenges in our region,” Ausiku said.
“We all know that the provision of quality education is a joint undertaking by government, the business community, parents and all our partners in education. This contribution is a vivid testimony that education is a collective responsibility. Thank you NCT for acting and reminding us all.”
Kenya Kambowe
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