The Naiti Combined School in Okalongo Circuit of the Omusati Region is in need of extra classrooms, an administration block, chairs and desks, as well as teacher houses and ablution facilities.

Speaking at the school's inaugural as its patron, Oshakati Mayor and Senior Hydrologist Leonard Hango said addressing children's educational needs is a shared responsibility, adding that sitting idle while waiting on the government to provide all educational amenities won't do Namibians much good.

Hango attended primary school at Naiti Combined School, and he knows the needs of the school too well.

Now, the school's patron has handed the school a donation of N$23,800, which he secured from friends and hopes will help purchase a photocopy machine and stationery for learners from disadvantaged families.

He shared his story about having to drop out of university because he had no one to pay his tuition fees. He became a taxi driver and worked hard to save money to pursue his master's degree in the Netherlands.

Hango thus attests to the importance of stakeholders coming on board and sharing the responsibility of education for future leaders to receive a quality education.

"I am in discussion with corporate institutions and business people so that at least they can come on board. I am always discussing with the school principal to have him indicate to me the needs of the school so that I can cry out to the good samaritans out there to bring forth all this necessary assistance."

Omusati Education Director Benny Eiseb says his region has 300 schools, but most of these are challenged by a lack of water, calling on relevant authorities to address the water crisis.

He has also urged teachers to pull up their socks and improve their students' level of reading.

'We have a problem in the Omusati Region, and that is that our learners cannot read. Then we are failing the future leaders of Namibia. When I was an inspector in Otamanzi, we were given cars called Tatas, and in my car, there was a mattress at the back. During those years, we used to camp at schools. Teachers, learners, and parents were motivated to come for extra classes. I hope that culture is still alive in the Omusati region."

Pupkewitz Holdings bought shoes for learners of the school, while the office of the Omusati Governor donated N$3,000.

Other support rendered to the school came from Coca-cola, Dinapama, The Namibian Sun newspaper and Sanlam.