NMH school development project comes to life
STAFF REPORTER
In 2015, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) launched the My Zone School Development Project where selected high schools across the country were given the opportunity to publish their own eight-page school newspapers. NMH – together with its partners – carried the costs of this exciting project.
The project has been successful in both telling the stories of the participating schools, while nurturing the appetite for community and citizen journalism. This has also served as a mentorship programme for learners, especially those with ambitions to become professional journalists in the future.
“The project began with eight schools in the Khomas Region in 2015 and today we have 52 schools over six regions in Namibia,” said Octavia Tsibes, the project coordinator.
Explaining the objectives of the project in granular detail, Tsibes said the initiative is geared towards creating a generation that understands the importance of a free, fair and independent media industry.
“NHM is investing in a generation that not only has access to information, but understands why access to information is important and the responsibility that comes with 'knowing',” she said.
The project is also to help establish a platform where the youth of Namibia, and marginalised youth in particular, can make their voices heard, and help develop the industry and life skills in participating learners.
Each of the participating schools has an editorial team of 10 to 15 learners, as well as a design team comprising five learners. Both teams are trained at the NMH Media Academy prior to the commencement of their first edition.
“The project has grown to include over 650 learners, while more than 50 000 learners are reached,” Tsibes said.
In 2015, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) launched the My Zone School Development Project where selected high schools across the country were given the opportunity to publish their own eight-page school newspapers. NMH – together with its partners – carried the costs of this exciting project.
The project has been successful in both telling the stories of the participating schools, while nurturing the appetite for community and citizen journalism. This has also served as a mentorship programme for learners, especially those with ambitions to become professional journalists in the future.
“The project began with eight schools in the Khomas Region in 2015 and today we have 52 schools over six regions in Namibia,” said Octavia Tsibes, the project coordinator.
Explaining the objectives of the project in granular detail, Tsibes said the initiative is geared towards creating a generation that understands the importance of a free, fair and independent media industry.
“NHM is investing in a generation that not only has access to information, but understands why access to information is important and the responsibility that comes with 'knowing',” she said.
The project is also to help establish a platform where the youth of Namibia, and marginalised youth in particular, can make their voices heard, and help develop the industry and life skills in participating learners.
Each of the participating schools has an editorial team of 10 to 15 learners, as well as a design team comprising five learners. Both teams are trained at the NMH Media Academy prior to the commencement of their first edition.
“The project has grown to include over 650 learners, while more than 50 000 learners are reached,” Tsibes said.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article