Oshana school of computing officially opened
Youth to spearhead Namibia's 4th industrial revolution
The school is geared to encourage girls and boys to feel at home in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields.
As part of its efforts to equip young Namibians with information and communication technology (ICT) skills to prepare for a digitally transformed continent, the education and information ministries officially inaugurated the Oshana Secondary School of Computing at Ekuku in Oshakati last Thursday.
During the official handover, deputy information minister Emma Theofelus said the school is an indication of the urgency of addressing Namibia's ICT needs.
More importantly, she said the school is geared to encourage girls and boys to feel at home in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields – STEAM.
The 4th industrial revolution should be spearheaded by the youth, she said.
Transfer of knowledge
Theofelus said the first industrial revolution in 1765 was a success due to the transfer of skills to young and old alike. She said the game-changer, however, was in the energy, strength, and productivity of the young workforce.
"We need to encourage leadership and confidence through digital technology; it can sometimes be seen as intimidating – a far-away thing, especially for people young and old alike who have not been exposed to it earlier in their lives. Therefore, it is necessary for us to play catch up in teaching these adolescents and teenagers the necessary skills to trust technology, which will give them the necessary ability to leverage all the opportunities that come with it," she said.
Skill transfer
Theofelus said just a few weeks ago she learned how to hack a computer, a skill she was not taught in high school, despite attending computer studies.
"Ethical hacking. I am fairly convinced that technology today acts as an overarching umbrella over the progression of any sector on the planet, whether it’s the environment, health, education, financial sector, mining, and diplomacy, labour, defence, water and sanitation, food security, trade and industry, law and order, land and housing, and of course gender equality," she said.
Conducive teaching
In a speech read on her behalf, education minister Anna Nghipondoka said the opening of the school will go a long way in ensuring that the Namibian child is well prepared and equipped to embrace technology.
Nghipondoka said as a ministry they are determined to provide accessible, equitable, and inclusive quality education for a tolerant, skilled, productive and competitive nation, and to promote and preserve arts and culture for nationhood and unity in diversity.
"This can only be achieved by creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning to take place. For us to succeed as a nation, education must be seen as a joint venture, as a partnership that should have overwhelming support from different stakeholders, both private and public," she said.
The computing school has four classrooms and a storeroom, which were constructed at a cost of N$1.6 million by the Rani Group of Companies.
Equipped for the future
The managing director of Rani Group of Companies, Ali Dharani, said they understand the importance of an educated nation, hence their contribution towards developing the education system.
"We are heading towards the 4th industrial revolution, and my dream is to establish more computing schools in all 14 regions," he said.
The school opened its doors in July. Currently, 29 grade eight learners and six teachers attend the school. Once fully completed, the school will accommodate a total of 150 learners from grades 8 to 12.
During the official handover, deputy information minister Emma Theofelus said the school is an indication of the urgency of addressing Namibia's ICT needs.
More importantly, she said the school is geared to encourage girls and boys to feel at home in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields – STEAM.
The 4th industrial revolution should be spearheaded by the youth, she said.
Transfer of knowledge
Theofelus said the first industrial revolution in 1765 was a success due to the transfer of skills to young and old alike. She said the game-changer, however, was in the energy, strength, and productivity of the young workforce.
"We need to encourage leadership and confidence through digital technology; it can sometimes be seen as intimidating – a far-away thing, especially for people young and old alike who have not been exposed to it earlier in their lives. Therefore, it is necessary for us to play catch up in teaching these adolescents and teenagers the necessary skills to trust technology, which will give them the necessary ability to leverage all the opportunities that come with it," she said.
Skill transfer
Theofelus said just a few weeks ago she learned how to hack a computer, a skill she was not taught in high school, despite attending computer studies.
"Ethical hacking. I am fairly convinced that technology today acts as an overarching umbrella over the progression of any sector on the planet, whether it’s the environment, health, education, financial sector, mining, and diplomacy, labour, defence, water and sanitation, food security, trade and industry, law and order, land and housing, and of course gender equality," she said.
Conducive teaching
In a speech read on her behalf, education minister Anna Nghipondoka said the opening of the school will go a long way in ensuring that the Namibian child is well prepared and equipped to embrace technology.
Nghipondoka said as a ministry they are determined to provide accessible, equitable, and inclusive quality education for a tolerant, skilled, productive and competitive nation, and to promote and preserve arts and culture for nationhood and unity in diversity.
"This can only be achieved by creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning to take place. For us to succeed as a nation, education must be seen as a joint venture, as a partnership that should have overwhelming support from different stakeholders, both private and public," she said.
The computing school has four classrooms and a storeroom, which were constructed at a cost of N$1.6 million by the Rani Group of Companies.
Equipped for the future
The managing director of Rani Group of Companies, Ali Dharani, said they understand the importance of an educated nation, hence their contribution towards developing the education system.
"We are heading towards the 4th industrial revolution, and my dream is to establish more computing schools in all 14 regions," he said.
The school opened its doors in July. Currently, 29 grade eight learners and six teachers attend the school. Once fully completed, the school will accommodate a total of 150 learners from grades 8 to 12.
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