Government schools that have been damaged by wind and rain storms in the Otjozondjupa Region will be renovated during this financial year.
This was revealed by the region's governor, James Uerikua, during the State of the Region Address.
Uerikua revealed that over N$11 million has been provided by the Education Ministry to repair the infrastructure of Okakarara and Kalkfeld primary schools and Okahandja Secondary Schools.
The roofs of classrooms at schools in Okakarara and Okahandja were damaged early this year, resulting in learners being taught in tents or, alternatively, using the platoon system.
The region continues to be challenged by inadequate and dilapidated education infrastructure, such as hostel facilities, resulting in learners being accommodated in unsafe environments.
"The Ministry has also availed an amount of N$11,375,484.00 towards the renovation and repair of schools whose facilities were damaged by windstorms, namely: Okakarara Primary School, Okahandja Secondary School, and Kalkfeld Primary School, during the current financial year. However, the Directorate is still faced with inadequate and dilapidated educational infrastructure. A shortage of hostel facilities also poses a serious challenge to education, resulting in many learners being accommodated in unsafe environments, which negatively affect their studies and performance."
On the other hand, Uerikua applauded the directorate for putting up two new schools, the Otjiwarongo and Orwetoveni project schools, which opened their doors last month.
The schools were built to help address overcrowding being experienced at different schools.
The regional education directorate further spent N$51 million towards the completion of additional facilities at Otavi Primary School in January this year.
Construction of an N$8 million multi-purpose hall at Tsaraxa-Aibes Primary School was completed, as were the construction of 35 classrooms and ablution facilities at Okahandja Project SS, Tsaraxa-Aibes PS, Otjiwarongo Project Primary, and Orwetoveni Project Secondary Schools.
42 classrooms are being constructed for the Okahandja, Orwetoveni, and Osire senior secondary schools and the Otjiwarongo Project Primary.
"The Directorate of Education established two (2) new state schools, namely: Otjiwarongo Project Primary School and Orwetoveni Project Secondary School in Otjiwarongo Circuit. The regional Education Directorate further reported the completion of additional facilities at Otavi Primary School in Otavi. The construction of a new multi-purpose hall at Tsaraxa-Aibes Primary School was completed. The construction of 35 classrooms and 7 ablution facilities was also completed. A total of 42 classrooms are currently under construction, which will be done by August 26 Construction."
The region is home to about 72 schools and a learner population of over 36,000.