Ekandjo calls for collaboration to address classrooms backlog

Maria David

MTC’s Chief Human Capital, Corporate Affairs, and Marketing, Tim Ekandjo, has called on all local and international companies operating in Namibia to join them in raising N$1.4 billion for the construction of classrooms countrywide.

Ekandjo made the call during the inauguration of a block of five classrooms and a storeroom courtesy of MTC Namibia’s rural schools project at Onduludiya Combined School in the Ohangwena Region on Monday.

The Ministry of Education is faced with a challenge of a shortage of classrooms across the country, which has now resulted in some learners being taught under trees or open shades.

Hence, Ekandjo said that they want to nationalize their rural schools project with hope to address the classrooms backlog.

“We have over 4,500 lacking classrooms countrywide, and we want to address the matter collectively as a team if we work together,” he said.

He indicated that at the moment, for a decent classroom, they build a block for between N$250 000 to N$300 000.

Ekandjo said that he has seen people entertaining luxury problems while people have real problems that need solving.

Moreover, he said that many people spend their time criticizing the Ministry of Education and the country’s Education system, expecting good results with very poor input.

He said that this input is the journey of education, and the problem and challenges of any country are always greater than any country, and the government cannot do it alone.

Ekandjo stressed that while the problems are greater than any government, any country’s challenge can never be greater than a combined effort of the citizens.

“As leaders, we must start leading to solve real problems, with real solutions,” he concluded.

Deputy Minister of Education Faustina Caley said education is one of the most significant long-term investments a country can make.

She added that education lays the foundation for a better quality of life, greater employment opportunities, and a better-skilled workforce.

Caley stressed that they need to rise together as a nation, work closely together, and move forward, albeit under different conditions.