Prime Minister Saara Kuugogwelwa-Amadhila has called on the private sector to support the government's endeavours to provide adequate school infrastructure.

She was speaking at the handover of school furniture to the Siguruguru and Mbora primary schools at Rundu.

The Premier says it was disheartening to learn of the conditions in which education is being imparted to children.

More than 700 learners at the Siguruguru Primary School are attending classes in tents and makeshift structures.

"I call upon corporate entities, not only in this region but throughout the country, to meet our government halfway to ensure that we invest in the social development of our communities, because it is only when our communities are empowered that their own businesses can flourish because they cannot prosper amidst poverty."

She said the learners and teachers at the school are a true reflection of the resilience of the Namibian people, but that the situation needs to change.

"Because when I observe the conduct of the principal, the teachers, the management, the parents and the learners, if I was not here to see the facilities at which learning is being imparted here, I would not believe that this is a community that is actually facing the kind of hardship that we are faced with. But the attitude that you are projecting is showing that you have a spirit of never saying die, and if you have a spirit of never saying die, everything is possible." 

The Kavango East Governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo, informed the gathering that the government has allocated N$ 20 million for the construction of modern classrooms there.

Wakudumo says the construction of 12 classrooms, an office block, and an ablution block will commence before the end of the year.

"Soon and very soon, we are going to drill a borehole here for the school and the community as well. I am reliably informed by the mayor that Recon Namibia has positively responded to the cause of the week. They are going to drill a borehole here." 

The development of the school was delayed by a land dispute between the Rundu Town Council and residents of the Tumweneni Informal Settlement, where the school is situated.

The residents settled illegally on a piece of land, which prompted the council to approach the Windhoek High Court to seek their eviction.

The Rundu Town Council recently resolved to donate a piece of land to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, paving the way for the development.