Amarika’s proud scholars
Saara Lukas,24, and her five friends who decided to return to school last year to Grade 5, continue to inspire.
The governor for Omusati Region, Erginus Endjala, has vowed to monitor the progress of the Amarika women who returned to school after dropping out ten years ago.
Endjala said he was moved when he read that six women, some of them mothers, returned to school to continue primary education at Amarika.
“Mothers going to school is one of the saddest stories I have ever read in local newspapers. There is a possibility that these women will attend their primary school together with their children. This school was established many decades ago, but I do not know why it was never upgraded for all these years,” Endjala said last week during the handover of stationery donated by businesswoman Maria Nakale to 25 schools from his region.
It is reported that Amarika Primary School was established in the 1960s by ELCIN missionaries.
The school provided education from Grade 1 to Grade 4.
Following a visit by the deputy minister in the Office of the Vice-President responsible for marginalised people, Royal /Ui/o/oo in July 2015, the school was granted immediate curriculum extension approval up to Grade 8 effective 2016. Namibian Sun ran the story last year, which highlighted the plight of the six women, prompting officials to visit the school. A 24-year-old Saara Lukas, an orphan and single mother is currently in Grade 6 after completing Grade 5 last year. Lukas returned to school on her own accord after dropping out ten years ago, following a visit from Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to Amarika in 2015.
Another learner who returned is Ottillie Johannes, 21, who said she left school in 2006, but she returned following advice from her parents. The others are Lydia Ipinge, 20, Josephina Gabriel and Ottillie Jonas, both 18 and Leena Kashenye, 17. Endjala told Namibian Sun that his office, together with that of the vice-president is going to monitor these women’s progress.
“These women are education ambassadors in their communities and I am going to help them. Since they are from a marginalised community, there are special programmes designed for them. For those who make it to Grade 10, we will ensure that they will go to university under the special programme, while for those who do not make it, we will ensure they receive vocational training,” Endjala said.
Following several media reports on the school, government responded to develop Amarika Primary School as a matter of urgency.
The construction of teachers’ accommodation has already been completed, while construction of an additional four classrooms, a hostel and ablution facilities is underway.
The Office of the Vice-President has also offered to financially assist these women placing them on a special grant scheme where they receive N$500 monthly.
ILENI NANDJATO
Endjala said he was moved when he read that six women, some of them mothers, returned to school to continue primary education at Amarika.
“Mothers going to school is one of the saddest stories I have ever read in local newspapers. There is a possibility that these women will attend their primary school together with their children. This school was established many decades ago, but I do not know why it was never upgraded for all these years,” Endjala said last week during the handover of stationery donated by businesswoman Maria Nakale to 25 schools from his region.
It is reported that Amarika Primary School was established in the 1960s by ELCIN missionaries.
The school provided education from Grade 1 to Grade 4.
Following a visit by the deputy minister in the Office of the Vice-President responsible for marginalised people, Royal /Ui/o/oo in July 2015, the school was granted immediate curriculum extension approval up to Grade 8 effective 2016. Namibian Sun ran the story last year, which highlighted the plight of the six women, prompting officials to visit the school. A 24-year-old Saara Lukas, an orphan and single mother is currently in Grade 6 after completing Grade 5 last year. Lukas returned to school on her own accord after dropping out ten years ago, following a visit from Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to Amarika in 2015.
Another learner who returned is Ottillie Johannes, 21, who said she left school in 2006, but she returned following advice from her parents. The others are Lydia Ipinge, 20, Josephina Gabriel and Ottillie Jonas, both 18 and Leena Kashenye, 17. Endjala told Namibian Sun that his office, together with that of the vice-president is going to monitor these women’s progress.
“These women are education ambassadors in their communities and I am going to help them. Since they are from a marginalised community, there are special programmes designed for them. For those who make it to Grade 10, we will ensure that they will go to university under the special programme, while for those who do not make it, we will ensure they receive vocational training,” Endjala said.
Following several media reports on the school, government responded to develop Amarika Primary School as a matter of urgency.
The construction of teachers’ accommodation has already been completed, while construction of an additional four classrooms, a hostel and ablution facilities is underway.
The Office of the Vice-President has also offered to financially assist these women placing them on a special grant scheme where they receive N$500 monthly.
ILENI NANDJATO
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