A school with humble beginnings

George Louw, principal of Chairman Mao Zedong High School sat down with The Zone and shared the history of the school and its strategies to excel academically.

Named after the Chinese communist revolutionary, poet, political theorist and founding father of the People's Republic of China, Chairman Mao Zedong High School was donated by the government of China to the Namibian people. The school was founded in 2013 as the Jan Mohr Project School with only about 200 Grade 8 learners. “When we started we made use of the facilities of the Jan Mohr Secondary School with 10 classrooms and a small office for the principal,” said Louw. The school started with three management members, 22 teachers and two cleaners.

Louw shared that in 2016, the Khomas Regional Office informed the school management that they would be relocated to Otjomuise where a new school was built. “We were excited when we came to view the school we brought learners with as well for the inauguration by vice-president, Dr Nickey Iyambo,” said Louw. He added that National Council chairperson Margaret Mensah-Williams was instrumental in securing the plot for a new school to be built in the Khomasdal North constituency. The school occupied the facilities in the second trimester of 2016. “This is a state-of-the-art facility considering that we came from just a couple of classrooms and a small office,” he said.

Learners at Chairman Mao Zedong High School now have access to a library, laboratory and sports facilities with a stadium and a tartan track. “Our learners have everything they need to excel not just academically, but in arts and sports as well, and we also have a music class,” said Louw. Louw also added that learners at Chairman Mao Zedong High School no longer have to stand in in an open area since the school has a multi-purpose hall. “The hall can be used for many activities besides using it as an assembly area.”

The school has 23 classrooms and all of them are equipped with projectors as well as remote control monitors which are very useful for teachers to do PowerPoint lessons. On top of this the school has a hostel that can cater for more than 200 learners. There is also a sick bay, teacher's restroom and a resource centre.

Chairman Mao Zedong High School offers tuition from Grade 8 to 12 with a total number of 653 learners registered for the 2017 academic year. Principal Louw says since the school is relatively young, the management of the school has put in place strategies to excel academically. “Our prime focus is to thrive academically and teachers at the school are motivated to achieve this goal,” said Louw.

Louw also explained that the school envisions a Namibian school where learners, parents and teachers cultivate and create knowledge in order to achieve the highest standards of education and interpersonal excellence in the country. “Our vision is to be the school in Namibia that prioritises providing quality education that continuous high performance and delivers the very best,” said Louw.

Principal Louw also shared that the mission of Chairman Mao Zedong High School is to establish a disciplined, peaceful, caring and stimulating environment. “The school also strives to develop learner's talents and broaden their perspectives to reach their full potential,” confidently said Louw.

The core values of Chairman Mao Zedong High School are; tolerance, character, positive attitude and trust. Tolerance, to accept one another the way God created everyone. Character not to compromise what is right, positive attitude towards teaching, learning and life. “And we trust God in everything we do,” said Louw.

In 2015 Chairman Mao Zedong High School's band took part in the Old Mutual school band competition. The band scooped the second place in 2015 and won first place in 2016. “Old Mutual also donated money to our school and the money donated was used to upgrade the music and arts room,” said Louw. Louw added that because the school is blessed with state of the art facilities, the school is thus committed to keep the infrastructure intact and protect the facilities from being vandalised.

Louw described learners at the school as astute and well-disciplined and they understand the concept of education. “Discipline is a cornerstone in education at Chairman Mao Zedong High School because we believe education cannot take place in a chaotic environment,” said Louw.

The Zone also spoke to Karen Lupalezwi who the principal described as one of the crème de la crème learners.

Lupalezwi said that she believes her school is one of the best schools in Windhoek with top notch infrastructure. “I like many things about my school especially the facilities but I also love the cooperation between learners and teachers at our school,” said Lupalezwi.

The first batch of Grade 12 learners from Chairman Mao Zedong High School will to sit for the Grade 12 national examinations this year. Lupalezwi shared her excitement of being among the first group of Grade 12 learners at the school to sit for the national examinations saying she feels honoured to be among those learners. “I feel honoured and privileged and I believe with ample preparations we are being offered by our teachers, we are going to perform well,” she said. Principal Louw also shared his excitement and expectations stating that the teachers are doing everything to prepare the Grade 12 learners at the school for the national examinations. “We have introduced study sessions, afternoon classes and holiday classes to ensure that our learners are fully prepared for the national examination,” he said.

Louw further added that because this year the school is going to have their first ever farewell party for the Grade 12 learners at the school, the staff are also excited to organise a memorable farewell for them.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE