In order to deal with the increase in school-going children and the shortage of schools to accommodate them, the education directorate in Erongo will construct two project schools.
The schools, one a primary school and the other a secondary school, will be constructed in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund respectively at a cost of N.dollars 5.6 million each.
The region has recorded an increase of learner enrolment of 51 942 in 2022 from 49 537 in 2021.
Meanwhile the number of teachers has increased from 1 876 to 1 913 during the same periods.
Although the region advertised 101 teaching posts for 2022, only 30 teaching positions were filled, which included five principals, seven heads of department and 89 teachers.
Erongo Region Governor Neville Andre Itope during his State of the Region Address Friday noted that the region is also challenged with dilapidated education buildings such as hostels and classrooms due to the coastal weather conditions and lack of funds for maintenance.
He added that the directorate is also finishing the construction of three incomplete additional classroom projects at Tutaleni High School, costing about N.dollars 650 000.
Additionally, a primary school is being constructed in Swakopmund with funding of N.dollars 49 million, from the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
“Last year during my SORA, I reported that the renovation and construction at Dibasen Secondary School is ongoing, I am now pleased to report that the renovation of the two hostel blocks and 17 classrooms at Dibasen Secondary School in Okombahe was completed at the cost of N.dollars 25 million. The construction of a new hostel block at !Oe#gab Primary School in Tubusis is underway at a cost of N.dollars 68.9 million,” the governor said.
The Directorate of Education also received N.dollars 19 million for the construction of additional classrooms at 13 identified schools in the region at N.dollars 4.5 million.
The governor pleaded with stakeholders to come on board and help the government address the challenges collectively for the benefit of the Namibian child and build more schools in the region.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
