Niël Terblanché
In the remote settlement of Tsumkwe, a growing plea for educational reform and expansion echoes through its communities.
Residents are calling for the establishment of a technical and vocational training centre, alongside the construction of more schools to accommodate the burgeoning youth population.
These requests, initially presented to the Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation, and Technology two years ago, seem to have yet to prompt the desired action, leaving the community in a state of desperation.
The community’s determination is evident in the proactive steps taken by the local community development committee, which has already earmarked land for the potential training centre.
This forward-thinking move is clear evidence of the Tsumkwe community’s readiness and eagerness to embrace and support educational advancements that could transform the local socio-economic landscape.
Further compounding the urgency of these requests is the situation at Tsumkwe Primary School.
The school is now struggling with severe overcrowding, insufficient staffing, and a lack of basic educational resources like furniture.
The school’s principal, Valerie Indongo, has made a heartfelt appeal to the National Planning Commission (NPC) to prioritize the construction of a new educational facility in the area as part of the sixth National Development Plan.
The residents of Tsumkwe envision a future where access to education, both general and vocational, is readily available within their community.
This vision includes not only the alleviation of the current overcrowded conditions at Tsumkwe Primary School but also the establishment of a training centre that can offer young adults and others in the community the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s economy.
The community’s plea for progress is not just a request for buildings and resources but a call to invest in the potential of its people and, by extension, the future of Tsumkwe itself.
The people of Tsumkwe have made their needs known, laid the groundwork for future development, and now await the support and action that can turn their educational aspirations into reality.
