Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has officially handed over Oluno Secondary School to NYS Investment for renovations during a site handover held at the school in the Ondangwa Urban Constituency of the region.

The school closed three years ago after being declared unsafe and uninhabitable.

Plans to demolish it and build a new facility for over N$120 million sparked a fierce debate between demolition and renovation, leaving the property abandoned.

After further consultations, the option to have the school renovated emerged to be the cheaper option rather than demolishing it, culminating in it being handed over to the contractor for renovations.

The renovation will take place in three phases, at an estimated cost of N$50 million. The first phase will start immediately, and the project is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.

Once completed, the school will enrol grade 11 and 12 AS learners, which will help reduce learners' overcrowding in Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Secondary and other neighbouring schools.

Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge defended the decision to renovate the school facilities.

"It is something that was really hurting me when I came here. Why do we have to abandon such a very big facility of this nature while we are having a problem with the number of learners that are increasing every year, and when it comes to admission, every beginning of the year is a struggle? But we have got a facility that is standing here that needs some renovation."

The governor further said that the school will maintain its old name to preserve the old legacy of Oluno and will employ new staff members.

"We will have a new principal, we will have teachers -qualified teachers,institutional workers and security. Everybody will be accommodated here, so we are going to start from the scratch when the colleagues are busy renovating then the directorate with the ministry of education will start with the employment," Iipinge stressed.

Iipinge further urged NYS Investment, the company contracted to renovate the school to finish the project within the stipulated timeframe.

"When I come here next week, I want to see something happening. I dont want to waste my time here, hand over things and it will stand again for another month and there is nothing."

The Inspector of Education for Oluno Circuit, Ollin Kamati welcomed the school renovation.

" At least we are going to have enough spaces and then we can be able to place our learners just locally. We very much appreciate this effort to ensure that our learners are taken care of."

Meanwhile, NYS's Investment Executive for Business Development and Marketing, Mirjam Iiyambo also spoke at the event.

"We at NYS Investment are committed to ensuring that this renovation project serve as more than just a restoration of bricks and mortars. Its a direct investment in the future that the President has envisioned."

Established in the 1970s, Oluno Secondary School has been a hotbed for leadership, producing men and women who have significantly influenced the nation in business, academia, politics, and many other spheres of life.