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Quality Primary Education : Related News Stories |
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| Partners | News | Success Stories | Links | Updated: 8/28/2006 |
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 SAN CHILDREN VISIT EMBASSY - 2006/08/29
Fifteen girls from the San community in remote Okaepe recently embarked on their first educational tour to Namibia`s capital city which took in some national monuments, Parliament and State House, and included a visit to the U.S. Embassy to meet Ambassador Joyce Barr and thank her for supporting their education.
The girls benefit from assistance received from the Ambassador`s Girls` Scholarship Program (AGSP) which supports orphans and vulnerable children in eleven regions in Namibia to stay in school and progress in school. The program is part of the US$200 million U.S. President`s Africa Education Initiative (AEI) that began in 2002.
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Under the program the girls receive assistance with school fees, school uniforms and stationery. They also receive mentoring to help them cope with social problems at home, at school and in the community.
The 950 girls who receive support under this program in largely marginalized communities have heartwarming stories of how their lives have been changed. One recipient is in Grade 8 in a school in the far north of Namibia. Her father passed away and her mother is dying of AIDS. She came to school in clothes that were torn and dirty, but in Grade 7 the AGSP provided her with a school uniform and the other necessities she needed and paid her school fees. At the end of her Grade 7 year she won the award for the best performer in Grade 7. She was so proud because she had beaten 90 girls to the prize. She said, "I want to become a doctor and help sick people."
The Girls Scholarship Program is being implemented in Namibia by three non-governmental organizations: the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Namibia; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia AIDS Program, and the National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia. |
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 SCHOOLS BENEFIT FROM USAID-SUPPORTED ICT PROJECT - 2006/06/21
"This project is a noble initiative which attempts to prepare Namibian learners to be part of the global community where education and technology are key ingredients of a globalized world", observed the Deputy Minister of Education, Honorable Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo. The Deputy Minister was speaking at a national conference of Namibian educationalists, development partners and information technology specialists held on June 5 and 6 in Windhoek to evaluate results of a USAID-funded three-year project piloted in 13 rural senior primary and secondary schools to introduce information communications technologies (ICT) as a teaching tool in the classroom. She thanked the US Government for its generous financial support, and encouraged the participants to embrace technology as a tool to enrich teaching and learning.
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The Namibian Education Technology Alliance (NETA) project, a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Education, the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, SchoolNet, World Teach, Peace Corps and Microsoft, is implemented by the American Federation of Teachers Education Foundation (AFTEF). Under the NETA project, 300 teachers were trained in basic computing. An additional twenty teachers also received advanced training on the use of the software to access computerized textbooks, generate workbooks, create tests and use the computers to manage day-to-day class work. School administrators were also trained to use computers to help them manage their schools. Associate Director of AFTEF, Joseph Davis, speaking at the conference, drew attention to the fact that this innovative project had captured both the resources of the U.S. Government and the expertise of the private sector and demonstrated that teachers and learners in underserved areas in Namibia had considerably improved their access to the knowledge and information available on communication networks. Technology specialists, NETA partners and the teachers who participated in the project, reviewed results, showcased the achievements of the project to date and discussed how ICT can be used in schools to help students learn mathematics, science and English.
One teacher spoke with appreciation of the assistance and mentoring provided by a Peace Corps volunteer. As a result of this mentoring and the training provided by the project, he was able to encourage his learners to use the technology. One of his learners became so enthused that he spent hours after school practicing his computer skills and one day he presented his teachers with a yearbook, complete with pictures and diagrams which he had produced.
In his keynote speech, Assistant Director of USAID/Namibia, Douglas Ball, praised the implementers of the project for the achievements of the past three years, which included training of 300 teachers in basic computing and ways to use computers in the classroom. However, he highlighted that significant challenges remained if Namibia was going to achieve the ICT Steering Committee goals of training 12,000 teachers in basic ICT literacy by the year 2010. "Partnerships like NETA are vital if we are to accomplish those goals", he said. |
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 "WRITING FOR KIDS" PROJECT - SIX NEW TITLES - 2006/05/24
The final series of children`s books funded by the U.S. Government through USAID were launched in Windhoek on Thursday May 18, 2006. Member of Parliament, Hon. Elia George Kaiyamo and USAID/Namibia Director Gary Newton, officiated at the occasion.
Writing for Kids is a series of supplementary readers for primary school age children and is an important component in USAID`s Basic Education Support Project, Phase III. The authors of the six new titles are teachers and advisory teachers from the six northern education regions: Caprivi, Kavango, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, and Oshikoto. The illustrators are student artists from the John Muafangeyo Art Centre in Windhoek. The authors and artists developed a product that can be proudly branded "Naturally Namibian", and in the process acquired skills they will be able to use in their professional careers.
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In his remarks at the occasion, Gary Newton said, "These books tell touching, topical and important stories, are beautifully illustrated, and are attractively designed and presented. The Writing for Kids project is good for all concerned:
· Young readers sharpen their reading skills on books they can relate to and at the same time learn important life lessons from.
· Teachers strengthen their ability to write for children and learn how to use books effectively in the classroom.
· Art students polish their skills at communicating with young learners visually through clear, creative illustrations.
· And, local publishers pass on editing skills to upcoming Namibian editors".
In expressing thanks on behalf of the Namibian government, Hon. Elia George Kaiyamo, Member of Parliament and Chair of the National Library Council, stated that he had seen the slogan, `From the American People` at various sites he had visited in different regions of Namibia and thanked the U.S. taxpayers for their contribution to this project. "I would like to express Namibia`s sincere thanks and appreciation for the work that went into making a success of this project …the contributors have also set a very good example for others to follow, and for which our society and its children will always be grateful". |
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 ENSURING OVC CAN GO TO SCHOOL, STAY IN SCHOOL AND DO WELL IN SCHOOL - 2006/03/15
A new initiative to assist orphans and other vulnerable children in northern Namibia was jointly launched by Honorable Nangolo Mbumba, Minister of Education, and United States Ambassador to Namibia, Joyce Barr on March 11, 2006. In attendance were local and regional government officials; young learners, their teachers and caregivers; community groups and schools receiving grants; and personnel from a variety of public, faith-based, and non-governmental organizations working in the north to help children in need.
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The driving principle behind the new program is that the growing number of children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic have a special need for a quality education given the special challenges they face. The program targets schools in the six northern regions which have the highest proportion of vulnerable children. Grants are intended to help remove barriers to a quality basic education faced by vulnerable children. Grant support can therefore be used to help meet the costs of food, school uniforms, shoes, basic toiletries, textbooks, school supplies, psychosocial support, mentoring, tutoring, relief teachers, or selected costs of accessing government welfare grants and social services.
The initial set of grants are being awarded to eleven schools and community groups which support them and will meet selected educational needs of 3,345 vulnerable children. A total of N$528,000 in funding has been approved and will be disbursed to successful applicants in March 2006. An additional N$1,375,000 will be awarded during the second half of 2006.
Minister Mbumba, in thanking the USG for their generous support to the orphans and vulnerable children of Namibia said: "It is heartening to see and hear that, while others are scaling down their assistance to Namibia, the US government has over time increased its support considerably."
In her address, Ambassador Barr said: "We are encouraged by the growing coalition of Namibians and friends of Namibia who are actively working to provide support to vulnerable children. With help from their government, family, school, church, and friends, these children will receive the care and the education they need to become productive, independent citizens of this young nation, and to someday become caring mothers and fathers themselves." |
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 TEXTBOOKS DONATED TO SCHOOLS IN NEED - 2005/12/08
A shipment of 17,000 USAID-funded books from the International Book Bank was handed over to the Ministry of Education at a ceremony on 29 November, 2005, at the Namibia Institute for Educational Development (NIED). For the past three years, the International Book Bank and other U.S. based organizations and individuals have donated books to benefit learners at different grade levels. While a particular focus has been on primary schools, institutions of higher learning such as the University of Namibia and the International University of Management have also benefited from these book donations. The total number of books received by the Ministry of Education over the past three years is 49,000, including 10,000 textbooks received in July 2005, under the Textbooks for a Global Society program distributed to primary schools in the north.
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The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, in expressing her thanks to the United States Government at the handover ceremony, said that the books were chosen through a consultative process. The donation will reduce critical book shortages in teacher resource centres, colleges and school libraries; will strengthen the libraries of targeted schools and create a stronger reading culture among learners and pre- and in-service teachers; promote inquisitive and critical thinking in pupils, learners, students and staff; expand knowledge and career horizons of all who are partakers in the learning process; improve the much-needed culture of reading; and strengthen links to the regional and international community.
USAID Director Gary Newton, said that support for textbooks is provided in the context of a broader program of support for basic education and stated "...the U.S. is standing solidly beside Namibia and your national effort to achieve the goals spelled-out in Vision 2030, including those that envision a higher quality education and a knowledge-based economy. USAID is pleased to be in a position to assist such a vital and vigorous sector." |
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 USAID SUPPORTS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION SEMINARS - 2005/09/02
Teacher educators and student teachers from Namibia`s four colleges of education participated in intensive professional development seminars for two weeks in August 2005. The seminars were organized by the USAID-funded Basic Education Support Project Phase 3 (BES3) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education`s National Institute for Education Development (NIED). A unique series in professional development was implemented for second year student teachers and their teacher educators in the departments of mathematics, science, English, and lower primary instruction. |
 The seminars were the first of their kind in Namibia with international teacher education experts working alongside professors from the University of Namibia, NIED, and local consultants to facilitate training sessions on ways to integrate ICT into instructional programs, improving teaching in mathematics, science and English, and incorporating HIV and AIDS concepts and issues into classroom activities.
The seminars were held at all four Colleges of Education in Namibia: Windhoek College, Rundu College, Caprivi College and Ongwediva College. The participants included 67 teacher educators and 409 student teachers. In keeping with the policies of the Ministry, all sessions were based upon participatory learning strategies with many opportunities for exchange of ideas among the participants and the facilitators. One student teacher said: "I see now that if group work is just facilitated in the right way it can do a world of good and a lot of learning can come out of it." |
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 TEXTBOOKS MADE AVAILABLE TO NAMIBIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS - 2005/08/05
During her recent trip to Namibia, Dr. Sarah Moten, Chief of the Education Division at the USAID Africa Bureau and Director of the Africa Education Initiative (AEI), participated in a ceremony marking the handover of 10,000 Grade 7 textbooks. The books were funded by the United States Government under the AEI’s `Textbooks for a Global Society` initiative to help alleviate the critical shortage of textbooks in Namibian schools. The ceremony was held at the National Institute of Educational Development (NIED) in Okahandja (a town just north of the capital).
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In her remarks, Dr. Moten said that the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and USAID under the Africa Education Initiative is testimony to the long standing and productive partnership between the U.S. and Namibia.
Under phase-1 of the textbook initiative, USAID worked with NIED and other Namibian institutions to address the critical shortage of textbooks that is hampering the academic performance of many Namibian children, especially those in the rural areas, where at some schools up to five children have to use one textbook. U.S. and Namibian writers have also developed a textbook for Grade 5 Natural Science and Health which is being field tested. Representatives of various regions that benefit from the textbooks were present at the ceremony and were given their textbook allotments to take with them.
In addition to the textbook initiative, USAID is supporting two other initiatives under AEI in Namibia: a girls` scholarship program which the Honorable Minister of Education Mbumba and Her Excellency Ambassador Joyce Barr launched on July 7, 2005 that is providing 950 scholarships to marginalized and vulnerable girls; and a teacher training program that is providing training to 8,000 Namibian teachers over the next three years to improve their teaching of math, science and English.
Dr. Moten concluded: "The support and inputs we provided to the education sector are among the things that will bring us closer to one of the key goals of Namibia’s Vision 2030, namely to transform Namibia into a high-income and a more equitable knowledge economy. I urge Namibian educators and learners to fully utilize these programs to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge that will make them productive and achieving citizens." |
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 U.S. SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT GOES FULL CIRCLE - 2005/07/14
On 28 February 1967, the U.S. government handed an air ticket to a deserving young man from then ’South West Africa’ to study in the U.S., a scholarship having been provided by the Africa America Institute. Today, that man, Nangolo Mbumba, is Namibia`s Minister of Education. Thirty-eight years after receiving his own scholarship, Honorable Minister Mbumba joined U.S. Ambassador to Namibia Joyce Barr on July 7 to launch a U.S.-funded program that will provide 950 scholarships to deserving young Namibian women.
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Addressing the beneficiaries at the launch, U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Joyce Barr said: "Our expectation is that you will become part of the global society of educated young women who are poised to develop into literate women…better prepared to make informed decisions related to personal and political choices, and…able to make valuable contributions to your families and communities."
The official launch of the U.S. Ambassador`s Girls Scholarship Program took place at Aris Farm School, south of Windhoek. The program is designed to enable vulnerable and marginalized girls to complete their primary school education. Scholarships will provide approximately N$900 per annum to each girl over the next three years to cover school uniforms, school supplies, boarding and lodging fees, mentoring and psychosocial support.
The Scholarship Program is part of the US$200 million U.S. President`s Africa Education Initiative (AEI) that began in 2002. AEI is designed to promote educational opportunities for African children by training over 420,000 teachers; producing and providing 4.5 million textbooks in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S.; and offering more than 266,600 scholarships to marginalized and vulnerable African girls. Namibia is also receiving support under AEI for teacher training and textbook development.
In Namibia the Girls Scholarship Program is being implemented in 11 of 13 regions by three Non-Governmental Organizations: the African Women Educationalists in Namibia; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia AIDS Program, and the National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia.
One poised and bright-eyed young scholarship recipient, expressing gratitude on behalf of all recipients, concluded with the words: "You put a smile back on our faces, and we will work hard to demonstrate that your support was money well spent." |
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 VISIT TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT - 2005/04/06
On Tuesday, March 22nd, Lloyd Pierson visited the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) in Okahandja, north of Windhoek, to observe USAID assistance under the Basic Education Support Program.
NIED is the Government`s educational think tank responsible for advising the government on educational reforms related to curriculum development, professional development of teachers and teacher trainers, educational research, and development of educational materials. NIED was established in 1990 as a Directorate within the Ministry of Basic Education Sport and Culture.
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Since 1991 with USAID/Namibia`s support, NIED developed a new curriculum for grades 1— 4, prepared 10 training modules and trained 1400 educators in school management, parental and community involvement and HIV/AIDS.
Volunteer-trainers and computer labs were provided to the four teacher training colleges to improve teacher training. With USAID assistance, the Education Ministry established a website that contains a wide range of teaching and training materials, syllabi, teacher`s guides, sample lesson plans, and information on HIV/AIDS prevention activities. For schools that do not have access to the web, CDs containing the same information that is on the web were produced and will be updated annually in order to provide educators with state-of-art teaching and learning materials for use in classrooms.
USAID is continuing its support to NIED under BES-III (2005-2010) in the areas of curriculum development, development of instructional materials and development of an instrument for testing grade-4 learners in the accomplishment of basic competencies in reading, writing, math and life skills.
A major program of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Education supported by USAID is based at NIED. Its two components are:
Initiative for Namibian Education Technology (iNET): iNET is responsible for providing ICT hardware and software to Teacher Resource Centers, Teacher Training Colleges and to NIED. iNET also provides ICT relatedtechnical assistance and training to NIED staff and lecturers at the four Teachers Training Colleges in Namibia.
Namibian Educational Technology Alliance (NETA) is a Global Development Alliance (GDA) activity funded by USAID, and U.S. and Namibian NGOs. NETA is providing software (teaching and learning) and training to selected schools in Namibia. Microsoft contributed computers to the NETA`s program. |
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 FIRST NAMIBIAN SIGN LANGUAGE BOOK PUBLISHED - 2005/02/03
When John Madison, an International Foundation for Education and Self Help (IFESH) volunteer at the Eluwa Special School in Ongwediva, tried to obtain a book of Namibian signs in order to learn Namibian sign language, he was told that there wasn`t one. At John`s initiative, the school submitted an application to the USAID-funded small grants program for basic education support, and received seed money to develop a Namibian sign language book for beginning signers.
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The school hired Damiana Paulus, a 21-year-old deaf man and graduate of Eluwa, to draw the many signs for the book. He is the only deaf person in his family but does communicate in sign language with his 19-year-old sister. He has attended several art classes and expresses a special interest in drawing. The Namibian Sign Language book is Damiana`s first major assignment. According to John, Damiana`s drawings are exceptionally clear and precise and show maturity and character. "With his talents and personality, Damiana could easily become a successful `cultural broker` between the deaf and hearing worlds."
The exposure and the experience gained though the Sign Language book, as well as the quality of his work, have earned Damiana a job with the National Association for the Deaf. They were impressed with the illustrations in the book and have hired him to be the artist for the Sign Language Dictionary.
The Namibian Sign Language book will be placed on the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) web page to be used by teachers and teacher educators. |
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 "WRITING FOR KIDS"PROGRAM LAUNCHED - 2005/02/03
A new series of children`s books written by Namibians for Namibians will now be available for the reading pleasure of young learners in the North. The first two titles in a series of books were released under the "Writing for Kids"program and have been translated into four local languages. The books` authors are all student-teachers at Namibia`s colleges of education, trained by the National Institute of Education Development (NIED) in a writing camp in May, 2004. The stories were edited and translated by NIED education officers and illustrated by students at the John Muafangeyo Art Centre in Windhoek. Pollination Publishers designed and published the books.
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The launch took place on January 27 and the first titles in the series were presented to the Minister for Basic Education, Sport and Culture (MBESC), Hon. John Mutorwa, by USAID Director, Gary Newton. The Directors of six education regions and senior officials of MBESC attended the event. Authors and illustrators presented signed copies of their books to guests at the ceremony. The readers will be distributed to primary schools in the six northern education regions for use in Grades 2 and 3 to promote improved reading and increased awareness of HIV/AIDS and related health issues that can affect young learners and their families.
The "Writing for Kids"program is funded by the U.S. Mission to Namibia through USAID under the Basic Education Support (BES) Project for which the Academy for Educational Development (AED) is the main implementer and source of technical support.
A new phase of U.S. support for basic education was launched in October 2004 under which US$21.4 million will be provided over the next five years to further strengthen basic education in Namibia. Since 1991, USAID has provided approximately $40.76 million in support of Namibian efforts to provide quality basic education for all. |
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 TELEVISION HELPING TEACHERS TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY - 2004/12/20
"Tomorrow, I will teach a lesson on hydro-electricity. My learners have never seen a river. For them to understand the lesson they must understand what a river and dam look like. My task will be made easier because I will show all this using a VCR and TV", says Matthew Shikongo. |
| A seventh grade science teacher, Matthew wanted to teach how hydro-electricity is produced to students who had never seen a river or a dam. Matthew’s school — the Ongenga Combined School — is about 100 km from Oshakati town in northern Namibia. Ongenga is a remote village with bad roads, but it has electricity. The school is one of 18 schools that have been provided with a VCR, television and satellite dish to receive television programs from a local television network. The Global Development Alliance project is jointly funded by USAID and 4 other partners — Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, the Namibia Institute of Educational Development (NIED), Multichoice Namibia and the Africa America Institute. |
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 SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ACTS ON AIDS KNOWLEDGE - 2004/11/02
Mr. Richard Mapenzi, Principal of the Mavuluma Primary School in the Caprivi Education Region of Namibia, writes:
"I attended the USAID-funded Principals` Sexual Health and HIV and AIDS workshop that was conducted at the Katima Mulilo Teachers` Resource Center. Initially, I thought this workshop was going to be like many other workshops that I have attended on HIV and AIDS, which were repetitive and rather boring. But, I was wrong.
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The session on breaking taboos was indeed an eye opener for me because I learned that some of our traditional beliefs and practices are contributing immensely to the spread of the epidemic.
You may not believe it if I tell you that immediately after that workshop, I was one of the principals who went for voluntary pre-counseling and testing at the local New Start center. I was relieved when I found some principals in a queue waiting to be counseled and tested at the center. This was encouraging. So, what I liked most at the New Start center is that numbers were used to identify us, unlike at the State Hospital where real names are used and recorded. Before the workshop, I did not like to go to the hospital in fear of stigmatization, especially if my results came out positive.
I subsequently convened a staff meeting for my teachers. During the meeting I encouraged and urged my teachers to go for voluntary pre-counseling and testing, just as I did. It could have been different for me to tell my teachers to go for HIV testing while I do not have the courage to do so. So far, about one fifth of my staff have gone for HIV pre-counseling and testing at the New Start center which is near our school. I do not ask them about their results as I regard that as too personal and confidential.
I have made it a policy to make sure that I mention one or two things about HIV and AIDS every Monday and Friday during devotion at the start of the school day. I hope this will help my learners to be aware of the risks that can befall them if they are not careful with their lives.
I am now planning to call school-board members and interested community members to come and discuss our way forward in trying to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Hopefully, during the meetings, issues on how to eradicate stigma will be discussed and how people who are infected can be helped through HIV and AIDS groups that offer life-prolonging drugs such as the Mapilelo Project". |
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 U.S. DONATES LAPTOPS TO ALL REGIONAL EDUCATION PLANNERS - 2004/11/02
The United States Agency for International Development donated 13 new laptop computers to the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture during the bi-annual workshop for Education Planners in Namibia held at the Safari hotel in Windhoek from October 18 - 22, 2004. Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Stanley Simataa was on hand to receive the donation from USAID Assistant Director, Douglas Ball. Also present at the donation was Todd Malone, Chief of Party for the USAID-supported Academy for Educational Development`s iNET Project. In handing over the laptops to the Ministry, Mr. Ball stated, "the United States firmly believes that an investment in Namibian education is an investment in the future. We sincerely hope that these computers will assist the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport, and Culture in improving the responsiveness and information management of the education system to meet the growing demands for quality education in Namibia."
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The 13 laptops, valued at approximately N$150,000, are just one small part of the estimated N$7 Million provided to the education sector through USAID`s iNET project. iNET, the Initiative for Namibian Educational Technology, is a collaborative project with both Ministries of Education designed to speed the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) within the Namibian education system. This two-year initiative includes several activities to expand the use of ICT at different levels within both Ministries of Education. In addition, the U.S. government, through USAID, also provides an average of over N$18 million each year to support primary education through the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture.
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 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PRODUCES CONSIDERABLE RESULTS - 2004/10/13
A survey conducted in the six northern regions of Namibia found that pass rates of students in grades 1-4 improved on average by 6% in 2003 compared to 2002 in schools implementing a USAID-funded "School Improvement Program"(SIP). Improvement in pass rates was attributed to increased use of teaching methodologies introduced by the USAID-funded Basic Education Support (BES II) program. The USAID program, implemented in 430 schools, involved the training of 2600 teachers and 1440 principals and other education officials. The performance of the schools was on an average 20% better on the implementation of a variety of teaching approaches and tools compared to non-SIP schools in the same regions. In a recent conference on basic education, officials from the Namibian education ministry announced that the SIP model, tested and found effective under the USAID project, will be replicated nationwide. |
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 USAID HELPS RURAL SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT OVCs - 2004/08/16
Nine year old Matthias Elias comes hesitantly forward to perform a song for the visitors, uncertainty flashing from his black warm eyes. He smiles in response to the friendly faces focusing eagerly on him. Then he sings a song to welcome the visitors.
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Matthias is one of 114 children who are registered as orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) at the Ohalushi Primary School, a school that is situated 30 kilometers from the town of Ondangwa in northern Namibia. Principal Priska Kambonde explains that Matthias has been living with his grandmother who looks after seven other grandchildren.
USAID provided a grant to the community of Ohalushi to establish an HIV/AIDS center at the school. One of the volunteers from the community, Ndapanda Amutenya, has been living positively with HIV for nine years and has recently received training as a counselor. She works in the community informing people about HIV and AIDS and plans to attend a computer course at a nearby village. She will then return to Ohalushi and offer computer classes to community members in order to raise funds for the OVC project. However, that is in the future.
Currently the HIV/AIDS center at the school is operating a small feeding scheme where the children are given a daily drink of "oshikundu"(a nourishing millet drink) so that they can be strong enough to concentrate on their school work. The Principal signals the visitors to follow her to the store room where 300 kilograms of "mahangu"(millet) is kept, which the community has donated to the feeding scheme.
"We had many problems of children either coming too late to school or sometimes fainting in class due to hunger," Mrs. Kambonde says, "Nowadays the learners come early to receive their share of oshikundu. The community has promised to give more, but we don`t have enough storage space. As you can see, we don`t even have an office."
The community aims to raise more funds to erect a building from where HIV/AIDS activities can be carried out. Steadily, the people of Ohalushi are reclaiming the future of their children which is being threatened by HIV and AIDS. |
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 iNET-SUPPORTED COMPUTER CENTERS LAUNCHED - 2004/08/16
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration is becoming a reality at the Windhoek College of Education thanks to the USAID-funded Initiative for Namibian Education Technology (iNET).
iNET supports the creative integration of new technologies across the education system. With the recent launch of three computer centers (two for students and one for faculty), the Windhoek College now boasts around the clock internet connectivity and 40 computer workstations. Hon. Minister Nahas Angula officially accepted and opened the centers on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, Training, and Employment Creation on 27 July 2004.
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The National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) and iNET worked closely over many months with the Windhoek College of Education to deliver the computer centers. NIED provided 30 new workstations to each College of Education in Namibia. iNET provided extensive cabling and networking throughout the college as well as a full-time staff member to ensure 24/7 Internet connectivity in all centers. In addition, College faculty receive on-going training and support to ensure these remarkable new resources assist all student teachers make the exciting transition from college student to classroom teacher.
For more information, check out the following websites: http://www.nied.edu.na and http://www.edsnet.na/Edutech/iNET.htm. |
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 OPENING THE WINDOW OF HOPE - 2004/07/14
"Primary school youngsters should feel prepared to take on the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS and the impact of this pandemic on their lives". These are the words with which the Minister of Basic Education, Sport and Culture launched the Window of Hope, a skills-based HIV education program for 10 to 14 year olds, at the Charles Andersson Primary School in northern Namibia on June 16. The launch was part of an initiative to mobilize schools and other educational institutions across the country during Namibia`s third annual AIDS Awareness Week. Minister Mutorwa said further: "It is always very difficult to change behavior once it has settled itself. We therefore need to start early with prevention-education, with support, and with building life skills and resilience among primary school youngsters."
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The program is designed to help children in grades four to seven to develop the skills they need for life, such as identifying and managing emotions, building self-esteem, communication, decision-making, care-giving, resisting peer pressure and building healthy relationships. The program takes a two-pronged approach, using the formal curriculum as well as a new official extra-curricular activity called the Window of Hope club initiative. Window of Hope clubs will be offered at all primary schools as an afternoon activity once teachers have been trained as club facilitators. The club program consists of interactive activities which are fun for both children and teachers: games, stories, information sharing, role playing and artwork all contribute to building young teenagers` attitudes and skills with regard to HIV infection, and developing their strength to cope with HIV and AIDS in their communities.
Window of Hope was made possible through the technical assistance rendered by UNICEF Namibia to the HIV and AIDS Management Unit (HAMU), with funding from the Netherlands government through a Multi-Country Initiative for Life Skills, as well as additional funding by USAID.
The 700 learners attending the launch at Charles Andersson Primary School sang the message loud and clear: even the popular National and African Union Anthems almost drowned in what the Master of Ceremonies termed the Window of Hope anthem: "O-bla-dee, o-bla-da, we are special — we are the Windows of Hope." |
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 YOUNG SCIENTISTS GIVE NAMIBIANS A PEEK INTO THE FUTURE - 2003/09/29
A record number of 217 learners from 13 primary schools and 21 secondary schools in six regions of the country participated in Namibia`s 21st annual science fair, held September 10 through 12 at Polytechnic of Namibia. Over 170 projects in 17 different categories were submitted and evaluated. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded for exhibits ranging from HIV/AIDS to solar ovens to loudspeakers. There was even an award-winning exhibit on aliens! In addition to medals, winners also saw prizes in the form of certificates, trophies, overseas educational trips and cash.
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For the first time, delegations of young scientists from outside Namibia were invited to participate. Learners came from South Africa, Swaziland and Taiwan. The activities of the fair were capped with a formal dinner and cultural presentations by the regional and international delegations.
The fair was organized by the Namibia Mathematics and Science Teachers Association, with strong support from the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture. The main sponsors for the event were Namdeb, NamPower and USAID.
In its `Vision 2030` document, the Government of the Republic of Namibia recognizes that, "Great emphasis must be place on science and technology to enable nations to not only take advantage of the new economy but to function in it."Namibian planning documents increasingly highlight the need to strengthen the science and technology education provided by the nation`s schools. USAID`s support to the science fair is only the beginning of what will soon be a much larger effort to help Namibia`s education system build a workforce for the future. |
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 LAUNCH OF GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE PROGRAM IN NAMIBIA - 2003/08/18
The Discovery Channel Global Education Fund (DCGEF), the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture (MBESC) and a host of other local Information and ICT organizations, in partnership with USAID, launched a pilot program on July 9, 2003, to introduce video technology into Namibian schools. More than six hundred learners, parents, community and regional leaders and government officials attended the ceremony, which was held at the Groot Aub Junior Secondary School, 40 kilometers outside of Namibia`s capital city of Windhoek.
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The pilot program establishes Learning Centers in twelve schools in disadvantaged communities across the country. Each Learning Center is equipped with a TV, VCR, satellite technology, and customized educational video programming from DCGEF. In addition to the equipment and programming, DCGEF is providing teacher training in the effective, interactive use of TV and video in the classroom. Community members will also benefit from the project through expanded access to global information, health education, literacy and other applications.
MBESC Minister John Mutorwa called upon teachers, learners and the broader communities of all twelve beneficiary pilot learning centers to make extensive use of the equipment in order to enhance the quality of learning in and outside of the classroom. U.S. Ambassador Kevin McGuire said that "Learning Centers such as this one will allow a transformation to take place in the classroom whereby children will be able to experience the world through their own senses, not just through the eyes or words of others."
In addition to enhancing the quality of learning, the new technology will help Namibia make more efficient use of its teachers. Increasing the efficiency of Namibia`s teaching force is critical in the face of growing teacher absences, and an anticipated shortage of teachers, resulting from Namibia’s high rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence.
The DCGEF activity is a Global Development Alliance (GDA), whereby USAID provides a dollar match for every dollar or more contributed by the participating partners. It is one of three GDAs to help address expected teacher shortages in Namibian through the use of ICT in the education system. The other two GDAs are focused on the introduction of computer and internet technology in the school system. |
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 NAMIBIAN EDUCATORS PRESENT RESEARCH AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - 2003/05/15
In late March, a panel of Namibian education experts presented findings of studies on the implementation of our country`s education reform policies at the annual conference of the renowned Comparative and International Education Society, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The panel included Ms. Mariana van Graan and Mr. Gerry Tjipuea from the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture National Institute for Education Development (NIED), as well as Mr. Vincent Matakala, Ms. Tautiko Shikongo, and Dr. Donna Kay LeCzel from the USAID funded Basic Education Support Project, (BES II). The presentation was sponsored by USAID/Namibia.
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The panelists presented their findings from NIED`s national study on lower primary education reform implementation, which included teacher self assessment results from schools throughout Namibia. Those results were compared with the School Self Assessment System results analyzed and presented by the BES II team. The research being conducted in Namibia is important and well regarded in the international education sector because self study as a methodology for monitoring school improvement is an innovative and promising approach. Self study embraces Namibia`s policy of involving all stakeholders, including parents and community members, in the process of monitoring school quality. The method enables parents, teachers, principals and learners to take part in analyzing improvement needs and making informed decisions about their own schools.
The panelists were honored by the presence of the Honorable Minister Nahas Angula at their session during the conference. The Honorable Minister had been invited by the CIES Conference to present Namibia`s progress in education reform since Independence. Namibia was well represented at CIES, and USAID`s education reform efforts were clearly documented and recognized by the conference participants. All Namibians can take pride in the accomplishments of its education leaders, and the teachers, principals, parents and community members who are all working together to ensure quality education for our learners. |
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ENHANCING RURAL ICT ACCESS - 2003/02/28
USAID/Namibia, the Regional Center for Southern Africa, and the Namibian Communications Commission (NCC) held a Rural Access/Universal Service Fund workshop from February 10-12, 2003 at the Windhoek Country Club. The workshop brought together Government, Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) industry providers, the private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
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Rural access to ICT is a topic that is of increasing importance to countries in a region in which access to computers, telecommunications and Internet access is limited. High cost, the absence of telecommunications lines and electricity in rural areas, rural poverty and limited demand for service, literacy and language barriers, and limited access to computers and/or equipment capable of accessing the internet currently constrain access to ICT.
The purpose of this workshop was to assist policy-makers to understand the opportunities and challenges presented by rural access of ICT in Namibia. The purpose is also to assist in the development of strategies for overcoming those barriers in a policy environment that supports open entry and innovative approaches to rural access. A growing body of experience suggests how best to create a regulatory and policy environment that supports rural access and the development of sustainable tele-centers and community-access centers. The event was timely, because Namibia is in the process of developing a strategy for rural access, establishing an independent sector regulator, and finalizing communications legislation.
Workshop participants now have consistent knowledge of the technical and organizational aspects of rural access, and of the development and implementation of universal service funds. One key outcome of the workshop was the establishment of an ICT Coalition by the participants to continue discussions around achieving rural access. The Coalition hopes to maintain a single voice before government policy makers and inform policy decisions. With the anticipated upcoming passage of the Communications Bill, this is an important step in ensuring proper planning, coordination and implementation occur in rural areas of Namibia.
The workshop represented the first time that policy makers, government officials, NGOs, institutions of higher learning, and private sector operators and service providers in an open forum. It was funded as part of USAID`s ICT strategy. The strategy highlights areas of possible synergy in USAID`s areas of interest (e-commerce, e-governance, education, conservancy management, and HIV/AIDS) and touches three dimensions: policy, access and learning systems. |
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 HIV/AIDS WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION - 2002/10/28
The Namibia Youth HIV/AIDS Website Development Competition, organized by the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) and SchoolNet Namibia, with support from USAID, was concluded on September 27, 2002. The purpose of the competition was to heighten HIV/AIDS awareness through the involvement of youth in developing and disseminating appropriate messages that target their peers through a highly accessible, non-threatening, and user-friendly website.
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Thirteen schools (2 private and 11 public schools) submitted their draft websites to the reviewing committee during the first round. The committee then provided each participating school with suggested improvements. The final 8 website submissions demonstrated innovation and vision, the learners using exciting and creative ways of communication, e.g. poems, personal messages and quizzes to bring their message across. They led the research which took the form of peer and community interviews and, in some cases, used school-wide competitions to generate information.
A five point evaluation rubric was used to judge each of the websites - content, presentation, technique & technical quality, innovation & integration and overall impression of the website. Each of the five successful entrants was given a full desktop computer for their school. Their websites will be linked to the NIED website and NIED will assist with marketing the websites.
The learners expressed their appreciation for the opportunity they were given through this exercise to convey the HIV/AIDS message in their own way, commenting that none of them had prior experience and had never imagined that they would be involved in developing websites. They were clearly enthusiastic about their products and have learned at a lot about HIV/AIDS and sexuality through their involvement in the competition. Some indicated that they will definitely take part in similar future exercises with confidence because they now possess the necessary skills and knowledge to develop websites. |
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 PEP CELEBRATES EDUCATORS` ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS - 2002/07/30
For educators, one of the most heartening outcomes of any activity is to hear students say: "Now we know..."This was a frequent response given by the Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) participants in interviews conducted by Dr. Wesley Snyder of the University of Montana during his visit to Namibia in June to attend the second PEP Academic Achievement Ceremony. This ceremony, hosted at the Safari Hotel and Conference Center in Windhoek on June 29, 2002, was held to honor 16 Ministry of Basic Education officials who recently completed their masters or doctoral studies through PEP. PEP is an innovative in-service distance education program collaboratively implemented by the University of Namibia, the University of Western Cape, Harvard University, and the University of Montana that has now allowed 25 Ministry officials to upgrade their academic qualifications while remaining actively engaged in their government positions.
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In attendance at the ceremony was the Minister of Basic Education, the Honorable John Mutorwa; the USAID/Namibia Mission Director, Ms. Diana Swain; and representatives from all four education institutions involved in the program including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia, Dr. Peter Katjavivi. In his address, Dr. Katjavivi praised the program`s participants for their valuable scholarly work and for their work in reactivating the Namibian Educational Research Association (NERA) as a forum for committed education professionals to support one another and share research findings with the larger education community in Namibia.
PEP has been a hugely successful program with 83% of participants having completed their studies to date. This has been compared to the 60% students who complete the resident study program at the University of the Western Cape. Program administrators are confident that the remaining five students will also complete their studies soon. Among these expected completers is Minister Mutorwa, who, in June, undertook a short study trip to the University of Montana to make progress on his research. Indeed, the professors and mentors at the participating universities have much to celebrate. The Ministry officials now feel empowered to undertake research to gain greater insight into education in their country. Further, all of these officials have given the program the highest marks in their evaluations. No participant rated the program lower than an "8"on a 10-point scale. The participants` research will soon be available through a series of monograph publications also supported by PEP. |
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 LEARNLINK PROJECT SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES - 2002/05/13
On March 31st, USAID`s LearnLink project successfully completed its 22-month mission to support Namibia`s education ministries to more effectively use information technology to improve professional development and support education professionals across the country. Through LearnLink, USAID/Namibia assisted the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture (MBESC) in improving information technology skills in Namibia`s historically disadvantaged northern regions. With LearnLink`s support, the Ministry established four computer centers in Teacher Resource Centers (TRCs) in Ongwediva, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, and Okahandja and hired project-trained, out-of-school youth to manage the centers.
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The computer centers serve as Internet access sites and computer training venues for MBESC employees, private sector organizations, NGOs and community members. To date, almost 1,000 Namibians have become registered and paying members of these centers. Another initiative undertaken by the Ministry and LearnLink was the development of teams of technology champions serving in the four education regions who were trained to acquire IT skills and to share these skills with colleagues in the regional offices, at schools, and with learners in classrooms. Through LearnLink, the Ministry also developed the Educational Development and Support Network website (ED`S Net),www.edsnet.na, to provide online support, expanded access to resources, professional development, and opportunities for professional collaboration between teachers, ministry staff, and others interested in IT throughout Namibia.
Since October 24, 2001, there have been more than 1,600 visitors to the ED`S Net website. While ED`S Net is primarily accessed by Namibians, people in at least 20 other countries have also accessed it. One example of how ED`S Net is being used to share information amongst educators both within and outside Namibia comes through an e-mail conversation between one of the project`s counterparts, Mr. Alfred Ilukena of the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), and the Director of the Tanzanian Institute of Education (TIE). During the conversation, the TIE Director requested Mr. Ilukena to send her information on Namibian materials to train teachers to work in large and multi-level classrooms. Rather than sending this information, Mr. Ilukena encouraged the Director to check ED`S Net where there are three teacher training modules on this topic. The TIE Director`s response after viewing the pages was, "I didn’t realize that such a god existed."Mr. Ilukena responded that he hoped that one day he could find similar resources available on a TIE website. |
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NAMIBIA`S REFORM SUCCESSES PRESENTED - 2002/05/13
Four senior officers from the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture`s northern education regions of Namibia recently presented a symposium on Namibia`s joint USAID/MBESC School Improvement Program at a major international conference in the United States. The Regional Education Officers, Mrs. Dutte Shinyemba from Ondangwa East Education Region, Mr. Andreas Amushila from Ondangwa West, Mr. Alfons Dikuua from Rundu Region, and Mr. L. S. Lupalezwi from Katima Mulilo Region, represented the MBESC at the Comparative International Education Society`s 46th Annual Conference. |
The subject of the conference was "The Social Construction of Marginality: Globalization`s Impact on the Disenfranchised."The Namibian delegation`s symposium offered an overview of the reform in the education sector since the country’s Independence and detailed progress to date in the government`s efforts to overcome the effects of marginalization resulting from the apartheid system.
The officers, who are all members of the National Steering Committee for the USAID-funded Basic Education Support Project, Phase II, provided detailed information on the development of the MBESC School Improvement Program in the four northern education regions of the country. Mrs. Shinyemba and Mr. Lupalezwi focused on the ways in which Namibia`s School Improvement Program (SIP) provides local support for improvement in teaching practice and school management through ongoing professional development activities for education officers in their regions. Mr. Amushila and Mr. Dikuua emphasized the ways in which the government`s efforts to involve parents and community members in local school improvement activities have produced dramatic results.
The Namibian educators declared that they gained a great deal of useful information by participating in the deliberations of conference sessions presented by an internationally well respected forum of educators from around the world. The Namibian symposium was well received at the conference and the MBESC and USAID Namibia applaud the officials for their accomplishment. |
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 AWARDS CEREMONY FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS PROJECT - 2002/02/26
On February 4, 2002, an awards ceremony was held in northern Namibia to recognize several communities that had received grants sponsored by USAID`s School Improvement Grants project. The ceremony, held at the new Trade Center in Ongwediva, was attended by an impressive group of government and traditional leaders including the Minister of Basic Education, John Mutorwa; King Kauluma of the Ondangwa and Chair of the National Traditional Council; regional governors; two mayors of the local towns; senior-level education officials; as well as hundreds of community members from the surrounding villages.
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Ambassador Kevin McGuire and the Minister made the presentation jointly on behalf of the project which falls under USAID`s Basic Education Support-II (BES-II) project, and is designed to promote greater parental and community involvement in their children`s education. Fifty-five communities from Namibia`s northern regions had submitted proposals and twelve awards of approximately US$5000 each were made at the ceremony. In his keynote speech, Minister Mutorwa said that the current challenge is to empower the school unit--including parents, teachers and all others--and to nurture and inculcate democratic values amongst the various stakeholders. He pointed out that the recipient communities were examples of the close collaboration needed between parents and school staff to improve education for Namibia`s children.
The projects receiving the awards included community-based HIV/AIDS awareness activities, a teacher`s material development unit, a school library, an environmental awareness center, and an agriculture project. The communities receiving the awards entertained all with music and dance. The event received wide media attention on national television and radio and in the three Namibian newspapers.
The BES II project is administered by the Academy for Educational Development. The Rossing Foundation, a local NGO, administers the School Improvement Grants project through a sub-contract to AED. |
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 ADVANCED DEGREES AWARDED TO MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OFFICIALS - 2001/11/12
In a ceremony held on November 10, USAID/Namibia`s Professional Enhancement Program (PEP) celebrated the graduation of ten master’s degree students and one Ph.D. student, all staff of the Ministry of Basic Education, Culture and Sport (M/BESC). The students earned their degrees under an innovative, in-service, work-study program offered by a partnership that joins the University of Namibia, the University of Western Cape (in South Africa), the University of Montana, and Harvard University.
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During their studies, the PEP students undertook research on topics identified by the MBESC as priority areas in promoting educational reform in Namibia. But they didn’t stop there. To facilitate the review of their research, to promote continued research within the education sector, and to sustain the dialogue on challenges facing education in Namibia, the students have formed the Namibia Education Research Association, and begun to publish an education journal.
Speaking on behalf of M/BESC Minister, John Mutorwa, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of MBESC, Stanley Simataa, said that the study program has "increased access for participants to international resources"that will enable the Ministry "to find solutions for problems in education."In his contribution, University of Namibia’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Katjavivi stated that the graduates "have now joined those that are making Namibia a nation of life-long learners."Other speakers included the former Dean of Education at the University of Western Cape, Professor H. Herman; Vice President of Research at the University of Montana, Lloyd Chestnut; and USAID Director, Diana Swain.
The remaining twenty participants in the program will graduate in early 2002 when PEP is expected to end. |
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 The EDDI School Partnership Program - 2001/11/12
The School Partnership Program commenced in May 2000. This year, nine Namibian teachers from three Okahandja schools traveled to three partner schools in Seattle. The teachers experienced first-hand how rural schools can involve students in entrepreneurial activities at all levels. The schools are now investigating products that can be made for export to partner schools in the other country. The students have been in regular email contact, sharing advice about proposed product lines and passing on business tips. Building a culture of entrepreneurship is critical to helping Namibia overcome the legacy of apartheid, a system that discouraged non-white business development.
The U.S. schools were selected by the USAID grantee, Echo Group Inc., and were matched to the three Okahandja schools identified by the Namibia Institute for Educational Development. Under the grant, the Namibian schools were equipped with three computers each, complete with Internet, and a website was established for the project [www.fidea.org]. As well as entrepreneurship, the program promotes Namibian public school fund raising and teacher training through a non-profit organization created with the assistance of Echo Group members, the International Development and Education Advancement (IDEA) Foundation. |
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 USAID HANDS OVER 12 VEHICLES TO ASSIST EDUCATION REGIONS - 2001/09/07
As part of the USAID-funded Basic Education Support Project Phase II, twelve vehicles have been made available to the four northern education regions of the country: Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Ondangwa East and Ondangwa West. They will be used to provide transport and logistical support for the implementation of the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture’s School Improvement Program. The vehicles were handed over to the Regional Education Officers to assist the Lower Primary Advisory Teachers, Circuit Inspectors, and Resource Teachers in their efforts to support site-based school improvement activities in their primary schools. |
| Key features of the School Improvement Program include involving parents and community members in locally initiated school improvement activities related to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in the lower primary grades. The School Improvement Program implementers recognize that the local school is the place where education quality changes need to have most impact and are using the vehicles to insure that teachers, parents, and principals are provided with the assistance they need to develop capacity in their own schools. Specific SIP activities include: developing new teaching & learning aids; playground development; educating School Board members about their functions and responsibilities; upgrading teachers skills; and exchanging visits among primary school teachers to share specific education models/practices. |
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NEW LEARNLINK CENTER OPENS IN OKAHANDJA - 2001/05/23
The LearnLink project was established in 1999 to enable the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture (MBESC) to make better use of information technology. Computers and the Internet are employed to improve professional development and support Namibian education professionals countrywide. Through the LearnLink project, USAID/Namibia is supporting MBESC in improving local information technology skills in rural areas. The project will be housed in four Teacher Resource Centers (TRCs) in Okahandja, Katima Mulilo, Ongwediva and Rundu. U.S. Chargé d`Affaires, Mr. Thurmond Borden, and Under-Secretary of MBESC, Mr. Justin Ellis, officially opened one such Center on May 11, 2001 in Okahandja. The facilities will be staffed by formerly unemployed Namibian youth who are currently receiving training in computer center management and maintenance. |
| The TRCs will become computer training centers for MBESC employees, the private sector, NGOs and community members in each of these towns. The project will also train teams of `technology champions` (i.e. trainers) through these centers to acquire IT skills and to share these with their colleagues in the regional education offices and in the classroom. The LearnLink project is also helping NIED to develop the Educational Development and Support Network (EDNet) website that will provide online support, expanded access to resources, professional development, and improved interaction and collaboration among teachers, ministry staff, and TRC personnel throughout Namibia. |
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EDUCATION SECTOR ADDRESSES HIV/AIDS CRISIS - 2001/04/02
At a local summit in Namibia, Facilitated with USAID technical input and funds (with particular thanks to the African Bureau`s Office of Sustainable Development), the Ministries of Higher Education and Basic Education, have drafted a strategic plan to respond effectively to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its ramifications on the education sector. |
| Attended by the Minister of Basic Education John Mutrwa, deputy Minister of Higher Education Buddy Wentworth, and their senior staff members, the five day workshop in Swakopmund was heralded as a key step in the effort to ensure a coordinated, energized, response to the HIV/AIDS impact on the education system in Namibia. |
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