The QKR Navachab Gold Mine near Karibib has handed over renovated infrastructure worth N$12 million to the Karibib Private School.

Managing Director George Botshiwe says the company will continue to support private and public schools in the area, as educating the youth is important.

QKR Navachab Gold Mine officially handed over infrastructure, including a refurbished hostel, a new dining hall, kitchen and laundry facilities at a fundraising dinner held by the Karibib Private School. 

The company revealed that N$7 million is spent every year on improving education at the private school and ensuring that employees' children receive the highest standard of learning. 

The Managing Director indicated that bursaries, job attachments and employment opportunities for graduates are also offered by the company as a way to support the community. 

"I am happy to announce that QKR Navachab Gold Mine is already in the process of constructing a fence around the school and upgrading our sports facilities for the school. We do not end our collaborated assistance with KPS, we also go around the country to assist. As a result, we are in the process of constructing a block of classrooms at the next-door school, Karibib Junior Secondary school. We do not want any learner to be left behind." 

The school is considered a top-performing institution in the region, consistently attaining a 90% pass rate among grades 10 and 12.

Last year the school achieved a 100% pass rate. 

Karibib Private School's board chairperson Elias Kahuva said these achievements demonstrate that the school has what it takes to produce the best results but it is very important that, to achieve and maintain these levels of performance, an environment that is conducive to learning must prevail. 

The chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council Benitha Imbamba said one such benefit is improving results in schools. He said, when you undertake a school renovation project or upgrade an existing building, you want to ensure that it will not only enhance school facilities but also learners' academic performance. 

At the dinner, funds were raised for the school through a mock auction of prominent people in the Karibib community.

The organizers generated about N$60 000, which will be spent on the construction of a playground to promote a culture of learning through play.