Burden lifted at Rundu school

Ndama Combined School, which is faced with serious overcrowding, this week received a donation of chairs and desks, which will reduce the number of learners attending lessons while seated on the floor.

MJ Tanko Investment donated 60 chairs and 31 desks to the school, as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

In March, Namibian Sun exposed the serious challenges the school is faced with, such as having 114 learners in one class, and many pupils sitting on the bare floor, because of a lack of furniture.

The school this year enrolled 2 247 learners and has a teaching staff of 49.

MJ Tanko Investment managing director Mechitilde Mupiri said they learnt about the challenges at the school, and together with her team, they felt it was appropriate to donate the furniture.

“It is sad to sit inside the office knowing that there are over 2 000 learners at a school, who do not have a proper chair or school desk to work on.

“That is why together, with my team, we decided to make this donation,” Mupiri said.

The products came from South Africa and are valued at about N$145 000.

School principal Fillipine Munkanda welcomed the donation, saying it will relieve the school's burden, as far as learners sitting on bricks and on the floor is concerned.

“We are happy for the donation and at least some children will not sit on bricks and on the floor,” Munkanda said.

Kavango East education director Fanuel Kapapero thanked MJ Tanko Investment.

Kapapero used the opportunity to call on well-established regional businesses to also plough back into the community.

KENYA KAMBOWE