MTC builds classrooms for Erongo
Three schools in the Erongo Region have received new classroom blocks through a joint corporate initiative valued at N$3.2 million, with organisers calling on other businesses to follow suit.
Okongue Primary in Daures, JP Brandt in Utuseb and !Oe #Gab in Tubusis each received a two-classroom block with storerooms, along with renovations to existing structures, under the MTC Rural Schools Project, a partnership between the mobile network and the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund.
The handover took place on Monday at Okongue in the Daures Constituency.
Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses commended the initiative and said government could not act alone.
"Education is a shared responsibility. While government provides leadership, policy direction and resources, strong partnerships with the private sector, communities and other stakeholders enable us to achieve greater impact," she said.
She also urged communities to protect the new facilities. "A classroom is more than four walls and a roof; it is a place where dreams begin, potential is discovered and futures are shaped."
MTC's chief brand officer Tim Ekandjo said the project had now delivered 61 classrooms across the country since its launch.
"With a significant classroom shortfall across the country, we need more corporate partnerships to support government in addressing this national challenge," he said. "As the project continues, we call on other corporates to join us because, collectively, we can make a greater impact."
MVA Fund chief corporate affairs John Haufiku said education was among the fund's core community investment focus areas.
"Our partnership with MTC reflects this commitment. We are proud to have contributed N$1 million towards classroom blocks and storerooms at three schools in the Erongo Region, an investment not only in infrastructure, but also in the potential of Namibian learners, wherever they live," he said.
Okongue Primary School principal Jossel Hindjou said the shortage had been acute. "We faced a serious shortage of classrooms, and as teachers, we did not have a staff room. That is now history, thanks to MTC and the MVA Fund."
