Niël Terblanché
The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, visited several recently renovated hostels in Outjo during the Easter weekend.
Her inspections included stops at Jöel Heroldt Primary School, Outjo Primary School, and Urib Project School, where she assessed the upgrades.
The hostel upgrades were coincidentally finished in time to host participants in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup over the past long weekend.
During her visit, Steenkamp said that the ministry invested N$11 million to improve accommodation facilities for learners.
According to Steenkamp, the renovations were designed to improve basic infrastructure and living conditions for learners.
“The refurbished hostels now offer improved civil works, updated electrical and plumbing systems, and upgraded ablution and kitchen facilities,” she said.
She added that the installation of new cooking and cooling equipment has enhanced functionality, while the addition of new beds and mattresses has helped raise the standard of living for learners.
The hostels served as temporary accommodation for teams from all 14 regions during the Newspaper Cup, playing a vital role in the coordination and success of the event.
Steenkamp commended the efforts of all those involved, noting that the improved facilities would continue to benefit learners.
She said the successful completion of the upgrade project is a demonstration of the ministry’s continued commitment to ensuring that educational infrastructure meets the needs of the Namibian youth throughout the academic year.
