As the first school semester nears its end, Otjozondjupa Chief Education Officer Markus Munenge has reiterated that a lot more needs to be done to help improve satisfactory results in the field of science in his region.
  
Munenge remarked this while delivering the keynote speech at Otjiwarongo's Paresis Secondary School, where B2Gold Namibia unveiled its 'Little Shop of Physics' mobile van, aimed at igniting a love for physics amongst learners.

Munenge says for three consecutive years, science subjects recorded a pass rate of less than 50% in the region in the final national examinations.

"Our ordinary and advanced subsidiary level results in the region, especially with grade 11, are a cause of concern, especially with regards to the performance of physics as a subject. For the past almost three years, the subject of physics has always performed below 50%. We had a number of workshops to train our grade 11 teachers, hoping they would pick up a thing or two to go back and improve our results, but it did not seem to yield positive results."
 
Munenge added that the directorate welcomes any initiative aimed at improving academic performance in the region and that it stands to help the regional directorate equip teachers with science skills.
 
"One of the reasons we are so excited about this project is that it seeks to advise on the issues of physics as a subject and science in general. As a directorate, we extend our heartfelt thanks to B2Gold."
 
B2Gold Assistant General Manager Dama Fotolela explained the mobile van programme is meant to be fun, have a practical impact, and inspire learners to explore and find creative ways to learn and grow a love for science subjects.
 
"As an advocate of education, B2Gold understands the significance of creating an environment where the empowerment of rights can truly prosper. We at B2Gold are committed partners in the field of education and consistently strive to invest in and enhance the lives of our children. Through our reputable corporate and social investment and programmes, we aim to improve the communities in which we operate."
 
Paresis Secondary School Principal Malakia Angala had this to say: "I offer my heartfelt gratitude and best wishes as I mark this significant milestone, an event not to be forgotten at Paresis Secondary School. In basic terms, the LSOP is a science laboratory on wheels. This initiative will assist in building teachers' capacity to support theory and promote learner-centered education through the development of learning resource materials."
 
To date, about 400 science teachers and 1,200 pupils from the Hardap, |Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Kunene, and Kavango West regions have participated in the LSOP teacher training programme.