Patience Makwele
More than 3 400 mathematics and science textbooks worth over N$1 million were donated to schools in the Erongo region, with educators saying the resources will help address persistent textbook shortages and improve learner performance in critical subjects.
Langer Heinrich Uranium (LHU) on Wednesday handed over 3 467 Mathematics, Physical Science and Chemistry textbooks to Grade 10 to 12 learners in the Swakopmund and Walvis Bay education circuits.
The donation was officially handed over at Swakopmund Secondary School.
LHU managing director Armandt Visagie said education remains one of the most important investments in Namibia’s future.
“May these resources support teaching, improve learning outcomes and inspire learners to pursue excellence in these critical subjects,” he said.
The donation follows a stakeholder engagement roadshow conducted by the uranium mine earlier this year, during which schools identified shortages of learning materials as one of their priority needs.
Swakopmund Secondary School principal Sinvula Sibanga welcomed the donation, saying schools continue to rely on support from the private sector to supplement government resources.
“The government alone cannot provide all the resources schools require. It relies heavily on stakeholders to come on board and assist in providing learning and teaching materials,” he said.
His school received 200 Grade 10 and 11 mathematics textbooks, 70 chemistry textbooks, 80 Grade 10 and 11 physical science textbooks and 50 Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level physics textbooks.
Sibanga said while the donation would benefit learners, schools continue to face significant challenges.
“The ideal we are aiming for is the one-learner, one-textbook ratio but we are still far from achieving that. In some cases, several classes share the same set of textbooks, forcing teachers to keep them in classrooms. Learners are then unable to take the books home to study or complete homework,” he said.
He added that Swakopmund Secondary School, which has more than 1 500 learners, also requires additional classrooms, modern computer laboratories, infrastructure maintenance and a new boundary wall.
“We want to call on the business community, particularly those operating at the coast, to partner with schools. Whether the support is financial or in kind, it will make a meaningful difference,” he said.
Kuisebmond Secondary School in the Walvis bay Circuit also benefited from the donation, receiving mathematics, chemistry and physics textbooks for Grades 10 to 12.
School principal Jonathan Maswahu said the donation would have a lasting impact beyond the current academic year.
“Resources remain scarce, particularly in the education sector. When schools receive donations like these, they help address those shortages. Donating a textbook is planting a seed of success because many learners not only this year but for years to come, will benefit from these resources,” he said.
He said improved access to textbooks would strengthen teaching and learning in mathematics and science subjects, which many learners traditionally struggle with.
LHU said the donation forms part of its corporate social responsibility programme, which prioritises education by improving access to learning materials and supporting schools, teachers, parents and the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture in delivering quality education.
The company said its engagement with schools earlier this year helped identify practical areas where it could make a meaningful contribution to improving learning outcomes.
The Young Observer made efforts to contact other school beneficiaries however calls were unanswered at the time of print.
