Patience Makwele
A N$132 million hostel which has been under construction at Otjiwanda Secondary School is expected to ease mounting pressure on secondary school placements in Grootfontein by providing accommodation for learners who travel from remote communities to attend school.
Education officials say the development will address one of the biggest challenges facing the circuit, where many learners secure places in Grade 8 but struggle to find accommodation because they live far from town.
The project, which got underway earlier this year, includes the construction of separate hostels for boys and girls, staff houses, a kitchen and dining hall, sports facilities and supporting infrastructure. The school’s completion is expected to end in 2028.
Speaking during the inspection, Grootfontein circuit inspector Markus Munenge said the hostel would improve access to secondary education by accommodating learners who previously had to rely on relatives or other informal living arrangements to continue their studies.
“We have experienced significant pressure during Grade 8 admissions because many learners come from distant areas.
Even when they secure places at school, accommodation becomes a major challenge, with some forced to stay with extended family members.
This hostel will help address that problem by providing accommodation closer to the school,” he said.
Munenge added that the additional boarding facilities are expected to benefit learners from across the circuit by making it easier for them to enrol at the school without the burden of finding private accommodation.
Otjiwanda Secondary School principal Robert Mukelebai said the project would restore the school’s capacity to accommodate more learners while creating an environment that supports improved academic performance.
He said the expanded facilities would strengthen the school’s long-term vision of becoming a centre of educational excellence and provide opportunities for learners to participate in supervised academic and extracurricular programmes.
Project manager Silas Chikomo said construction was progressing according to schedule, with work currently focused on the hostel blocks and other key facilities.
According to Chikomo, the development comprises boys’ and girls’ dormitories, a kitchen and dining hall, staff accommodation, sports fields and associated infrastructure.
He said construction commenced after the project site was handed over earlier this year and, despite being in its early stages, work has progressed without major setbacks.
Once completed, the boarding facilities are expected to expand access to quality secondary education by reducing accommodation constraints and providing a safer, more conducive learning environment for learners from rural communities.
