A school that can accommodate over 500 children with different ranges of disabilities will soon be opened in the Kunene Region.
At the groundbreaking ceremony in Kamanjab, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said the project is a milestone in the national education infrastructure agenda.
The school will cater for various disabilities, from hearing and visual impairments to autism and intellectual and physical disabilities, for children who have faced barriers in accessing appropriate education.
"This project is a decisive response to that challenge. And so, today, we break ground on a school that will feature dedicated facilities for learners with hearing, visual, and intellectual impairments. This is not an ordinary school. It is a purpose-built space designed with care, adapted to the curriculum, and aligned with Namibia's Sector Policy on Inclusive Education. It will house classrooms, hostel blocks, ablution facilities, and a kitchen and dining area. Most importantly, it will offer dignity and tailored support to learners who deserve every opportunity to grow, thrive, and contribute," said Ngurare.
Dr Ngurare stated that the school will be situated in Kamanjab because of its proximity to serve communities throughout the region effectively and fairly.
The centre will be built at a cost of N$34 million.
"Furthermore, we have taken deliberate steps to ensure that the construction process itself is streamlined. By partnering with a public entity for the execution of this first phase, we are prioritising both efficiency and accountability. This phase, valued at approximately N$34.8 million, will be completed within this financial year, 2025/2026."
Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Sanet Steenkamp said the school will bring hope and a declaration that no child, no matter their ability, should be overlooked.
"This moment is not only about who is here today. It is about the many who are not. It is about the child in a rural home who cannot speak clearly but understands everything. It is about the child who flinches at noise but dreams in pictures. It is about the grandmother who has raised a deaf grandchild, with love but no training, and who prayed for this day. So, we proceed with humility. And with care. Because there is no school that can fully replace the love of a family, but a good school can be its most powerful ally."
She urged the school to be a place of hope so that no matter how small the village or how complex the need, the Namibian child is never forgotten.