Debmarine Namibia-Namdeb Foundation has invested N$2.6 million towards classroom construction at the Auas Primary School in the Khomas Region.
The Foundation has completed the construction of four classrooms and an ablution block at the school to alleviate the burden of the platoon system, in which two sets of pupils and teachers use the same school/classrooms for half a day each.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Chairperson of the Foundation Brent Eiseb stated that the decision to build classrooms at Auas Primary School was based on the fact that the school had a platoon system, which created an inadequate learning environment for the students.
Eiseb emphasised that education is the backbone of every country’s advancement and prosperity and creating conducive learning environments for students is crucial to delivering quality education.
“As a Foundation, we have a very high focus on Education which remains the backbone of every country’s advancement and prosperity. We all know that in order for a country like Namibia or any other nation to hold a competitive edge in the ever-advancing technological world, we need an educated and highly skilled citizenry,” said Eiseb, adding that: “We need to create conducive learning environments for our children to learn in. One of these is infrastructure. A classroom creates a positive environment for a learner’s holistic development.”
Paulus Nghikembua, the Director of Education, Arts and Culture for Khomas Region, expressed the need for more classrooms in the region, stating that over 70 classrooms are required annually. Nghikembua applauded the initiative by the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation, which will provide access to basic and compulsory education to 140 more children at the Auas Primary School.
Established in 2015, Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation collaborates with local communities on sustainable projects and initiatives to leave a lasting diamond legacy in Namibia.
The foundation is a joint socio-economic development vehicle of Debmarine Namibia, Namdeb Diamond Corporation, and Namibia Diamond Trading Company.