Japanese embassy lends helping hand
Learners no longer need to walk a distance to the next lesson with new classrooms built on school premises.
AI Steenkamp Primary School in Windhoek inaugurated five new classrooms as well as a storeroom on 6 August with aid from the Japanese embassy through the Grant Assistance for Human Security Grassroots Projects, the Namibian government, the Khomas regional council and Windhoek Vocational Training Centre.
Due to the shortage of classrooms, pre-primary learners were accommodated at temporary classrooms which were about 30 minutes away from the main school campus on foot and caused safety and security concerns. It was against this background that the government of Japan extended a grant of N$1.1 million for building a new school block.
With the school currently having a total of 1 572 learners coming from different socio-economic backgrounds as well as 45 teachers and six intuitional staff members, this initiative will benefit not only the learners but also members of the society and the education sector.
According to Japan ambassador to Namibia, Hideaki Harada, AI Steenkamp is the 40th school to benefit from this scheme since its inception in Namibia in 1997.
Harada said seven more schools are to receive new school blocks in the near future and five more schools are carrying out construction work under this scheme.
“Although Namibia and Japan are physically far apart, we share common values such as placing importance on quality education,” he said.
Speaking at the inauguration on behalf of education minister Anna Nghipondoka, chairperson of the Khomas regional council Rachel Jacobs urged the school to maintain and take good care of the classrooms.
“It should be utilised for the sole reason it was built for, that is to promote quality education at this school,” she said.
At the event, AI Steenkamp principal Rudolfine Kamahene said “I acknowledge the Japanese government, the ministry of education, arts and culture, the Khomas regional council and the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre for giving us a helping hand, ensuring that such dreams have become a reality.”
Due to the shortage of classrooms, pre-primary learners were accommodated at temporary classrooms which were about 30 minutes away from the main school campus on foot and caused safety and security concerns. It was against this background that the government of Japan extended a grant of N$1.1 million for building a new school block.
With the school currently having a total of 1 572 learners coming from different socio-economic backgrounds as well as 45 teachers and six intuitional staff members, this initiative will benefit not only the learners but also members of the society and the education sector.
According to Japan ambassador to Namibia, Hideaki Harada, AI Steenkamp is the 40th school to benefit from this scheme since its inception in Namibia in 1997.
Harada said seven more schools are to receive new school blocks in the near future and five more schools are carrying out construction work under this scheme.
“Although Namibia and Japan are physically far apart, we share common values such as placing importance on quality education,” he said.
Speaking at the inauguration on behalf of education minister Anna Nghipondoka, chairperson of the Khomas regional council Rachel Jacobs urged the school to maintain and take good care of the classrooms.
“It should be utilised for the sole reason it was built for, that is to promote quality education at this school,” she said.
At the event, AI Steenkamp principal Rudolfine Kamahene said “I acknowledge the Japanese government, the ministry of education, arts and culture, the Khomas regional council and the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre for giving us a helping hand, ensuring that such dreams have become a reality.”
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Namibian Sun
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