Deputy Prime Minister Natangue Ithete has urged parents, teachers, and everyone with a stake in educating children to collectively do their best to contribute to that noble cause.
Ithete addressed the Impalila Combined School in the Zambezi Region on Friday, during the handover of 300 pairs of shoes – donated to pupils in need by the company, Rent A Drum.
In addition to the 300 pairs of shoes, the donation also included sanitary pads for girls to ensure they have the essentials taken care of.
Ithete stressed that education remains the most powerful investment the country can make to break the cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
"By donating these school shoes and sanitary pads, we are hoping to lessen the burden on the parents and reaffirm our shared responsibility to ensure that no child is left behind in pursuit of knowledge. On behalf of the government of the Republic of Namibia, I extend my deepest gratitude to the management, teachers and parents of Impalila Combined School and all schools in Namibia for standing with us in educating our future leaders."
The Deputy Prime Minister said that, with the discovery of oil and gas in the country, teachers should ensure learners are equipped with the right skills as well as attitudes to run these new industries.
He further emphasised to parents that education starts at home and that success in the world requires more than just a sharp mind.
He thus urged them to impart to their children the values of discipline, good morals and an overall positive attitude towards life.
Failure to discipline a child at home, he said, is akin to sabotaging their future.
"Let us ensure that our children are ready to take over and conquer economic struggles. I am confident that together, through partnership between community, homes, schools and government ministries, we will move closer to achieving our national development goals and the vision of Namibia where every child has the opportunity to learn with dignity and pride."
He expressed empathy on behalf of the central government for the challenges and hardships that residents of Impalila Island face, including their lack of road access to the rest of the country.
Zambezi Regional Education Director Alex Sikume thanked the donors on behalf of the Impalila Island community and the education directorate.
"Impalila School runs from pre-primary to grade 11, and grade 11 was introduced for the first time last year at this school. Depending on the performance, because of the location of this island, we are looking at expanding the curriculum to AS. We continue to face challenges due to the limited facilities at this school, including a small number of classrooms, an inoperative community hostel, and ongoing struggles among our learners. We are looking at making that workable so that when we add an AS grade at this school, the hostel is functional."