Patience Makwele
A N$1.14 million administration block has brought an end to more than four decades of inadequate office space at Muketela Primary School in the Zambezi region, where teachers and school management have been operating from a single room since the school was established in 1982.
The school, which serves about 140 learners in the remote Bamunu Conservancy in the Sibbinda Constituency, officially received the new facility last week through the NamPort Social Investment Fund.
The administration block which has been funded through the NamPort Social Investment Fund at a cost of N$1,141,639, includes a principal’s office, reception area, staffroom, storeroom and connecting passage, replacing the makeshift office that had served as the school’s administrative centre for decades.
The school’s principal Olga Puteho said the new facility represents far more than just a building, describing it as a symbol of hope, dignity and progress for the entire school community.
She said it would improve daily operations and provide a more professional environment for staff, parents, learners and visitors.
“The administration block is much more than a building. It represents hope, progress and our shared commitment to creating an environment where quality teaching, effective leadership and excellent service to learners and the community can flourish. It brings dignity to the entire school community,” she said.
Speaking at the handover, NamPort Social Investment Fund trustee Alushe Hitula said the project demonstrates the fund’s commitment to directing investment where communities need it most.
Hitula said the school’s principal had managed the institution for more than 40 years from a storeroom that doubled as an office and library before successfully appealing to NamPort for assistance.
“For over 40 years, this school functioned without a dedicated administration block. Your principal did not complain or give up. She picked up her pen, wrote to NamPort and fought for this school,” he said.
The NamPort Social Investment Fund, which has operated for 19 years, has invested more than N$100 million in projects across Namibia’s 14 regions, with over N$58 million channeled directly into community development initiatives.
Deputy director of education for the Zambezi region Norah Munembo said the project highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing infrastructure challenges in schools.
She said although the government continues investing in education infrastructure, strategic partnerships remain essential to creating quality learning environments.
Puteho said the new facility would significantly improve the efficiency of school management, strengthen communication and record-keeping, and enhance staff morale.
She added that it would contribute to a more organised and conducive learning environment while also improving the safe keeping of confidential documents.
In remarks delivered on behalf of Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula, the regional leadership urged the school and surrounding community to protect the new facility.
Kabula warned that vandalism and neglect undermine development efforts and deprive future generations of opportunities.
“I therefore call upon learners, teachers, parents and the wider community to safeguard this facility,” the statement read.
The new administration block is expected to improve service delivery at the school by providing dedicated office space for management and staff while creating a more conducive environment for school administration.
Community member Samwaka Josephine Likando welcomed the investment, describing it as a milestone not only for the school but for the wider community.
She said generations of learners had passed through Muketela Primary School and many had gone on to become working professionals, with some returning to support the school.
Likando urged learners to make full use of the improved facilities, noting that many schools across the country continue to struggle with inadequate classrooms, furniture and other basic infrastructure.
She also called on parents to work closely with teachers and encourage children to value education, saying the new administration block should inspire learners to pursue success so that one day they can give back to their community.
“Education is important. We want these learners to benefit from these opportunities, become leaders and return to uplift the community where they started,” she said.
