Niël Terblanché
As the school year draws to a close, Namibia has received a timely boost to its educational infrastructure through a generous donation from the Chinese government.
The Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, officially received newly constructed educational facilities for two rural schools in Kavango West: Satotwa Combined School and Simanya Combined School.
She said the Chinese government’s gift, delivered through the Agency for International Economic Cooperation, will help address the growing need for learner accommodation and improve the overall learning environment in these remote areas.
“The donation includes crucial infrastructure such as classrooms, administration blocks, ablution facilities, libraries, teachers’ housing, and hostels for learners<’ she said.
According to the minister, the new facilities are expected to significantly reduce the travel distances faced by learners, many of whom previously had to walk long distances to attend school.
The new hostels will ensure that students can remain on campus, eliminating the exhaustion of daily travel and providing a more stable learning environment.
Nghipondoka stressed the importance of such infrastructure in enhancing teaching and learning outcomes.
“No longer will our learners have to endure long, exhausting journeys to and from school, and our teachers will find greater stability and support in their roles,” she said.
Nghipondoka said the contribution strengthens the enduring relationship between Namibia and China.
“Over the decades, this relationship has blossomed into a robust partnership, particularly in the fields of infrastructure and socio-economic development. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has continued to extend its support to Namibia, with education being a key focus of collaboration,” she said.
Nghipondoka also spoke about the ongoing challenges faced by the education ministry, particularly in rural areas, where the demand for adequate educational facilities continues to outpace supply.
She referred to Namibia’s Accelerated Infrastructure Development Plan (AIDeP), which is integrated into the 2022 National Conference on Education Implementation Plan.
“This plan aims to guide the country’s educational development from 2023 to 2030, with a specific focus on addressing infrastructural gaps,” she said.
The minister acknowledged that infrastructure is critical to ensuring equitable access to education, reducing dropout rates, and improving teacher retention.
“The donation from China represents a vital contribution to this mission, as it directly supports the goals of the AIDeP,” she said.
Nghipondoka added that the new infrastructure will also help maintain a low learner-to-teacher ratio and improve sanitation standards, which are crucial for the health and well-being of both learners and educators.
Nghipondoka expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese government for their ongoing commitment to improving the lives of Namibians.
She also called upon other international partners, private sector stakeholders, and individuals to join in the collective effort to ensure that every Namibian child has access to quality education.
“Education is a collective responsibility, and together we can ensure that every Namibian child has access to quality, inclusive, and equitable education,” she said.
According to Nghipondoka, the new facilities at Satotwa and Simanya Combined Schools will provide learners with the opportunity to excel academically and contribute to Namibia’s development in the years to come.