Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, has officially inaugurated the Namaqua Kalahari Children’s Hope Hostel in Gochas, Hardap Region – a facility that was constructed at a cost of N$11.6 million by the Spanish non-profit organisation, Foundawtion.
Steenkamp explained that the construction of the hostel began in October 2023. She revealed that the facility comprises of two hostels for boys and girls, a dining hall, a fully equipped kitchen, a reception area, a house for the Superintendent, accommodation for supervisory staff, sick bays, and a study room.
INAUGURATED: Scenes from the inauguration ceremony of the Namaqua Kalahari Children’s Hope Hostel. Photos: Ministry of Education.
According to the Minister, the construction of the Namaqua Kalahari Children’s Hope Hostel will directly address challenges that hinder access to quality education, particularly in the Hardap Region, as the hostel provides a stable and secure environment where learning can thrive, even in the face of natural adversity.
“The benefits of hostel living are immense. Learners residing in hostels benefit from increased safety, as they are housed in a secure environment that minimises risks associated with long daily commutes and the possibility of falling prey to rape or sexual molestation. The reduction in long walking distances to and from school allows for more time spent on academic pursuits and sports, which are crucial for their success. By providing accommodation, we are also working to eliminate barriers that often lead to dropouts, ensuring higher retention rates and better completion rates for our learners,” Steenkamp said.
The Minister assured that the government remains dedicated to bringing services closer to the people, strengthening the decentralisation process to support rural development and reduce migration pressures.
“We are therefore not merely opening a hostel facility; we are opening doors to new opportunities for children who, if not granted the chance to experience a ‘home away from home,’ could have been swept away by the many social evils such as drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancies, and unemployment,” Steenkamp added.
