Reaching children across the country

Mariselle Stofberg Through its educational booklet project, Namibia Media Holdings (NMH), in collaboration with its partners, has ensured that no child gets left behind. On Friday, 8 October, NMH printed its 10 millionth booklet. The project, which was started in 2020, has enabled learners across the country to still continue with education, in their mother tongue, despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. NMH, the project coordinator, alongside its partners - the ministry of education, arts and culture, Bank Windhoek and the Capricorn Foundation, the Namibian Community Trust, Unicef, Amos Meerkat Project Schools and My Zone Education Programme - have taken hands to bring education to the doorstep of each child in the country. This is one of the largest public-private partnership projects in education, all carried out by a team of eight teachers, two senior education officers, 18 translators, 15 designers, 37 drivers,54 printers, two sign language teachers, two online teachers and many others.The books are translated into 12 languages: English, Afrikaans, German, Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab, Rukwangali, Rumanyo, Thimbukushu, Silozi and Namibian sign language, and all content goes through quality assurance with officials from the National Institute for Educational Development. “We wanted to become a part of the solution, and not continue to focus on the problems our children face in the country due to Covid-19. We wanted to ensure no learner gets left behind, and through this project, learners across the country have been offered the opportunity to remain committed to their education,” Albe Botha, NMH’s CEO, said. “This project has given wings to our education system and allowed us to reach learners from all backgrounds in their mother tongue,” Octavia Tsibes added. She played an instrumental role in getting the project off the ground last year. “My Zone is passionate about education and its ability to uplift, empower, inspire and equip our learners to become strong leaders who can take their future into their own hands.”The booklets cater for learners between pre-primary and grade three and are done in conjunction in online lessons, also by NMH.“This project is so much more than just booklets. It’s a mechanism for change. A tool to inspire. A way to take our country forward. With the assistance of the ministry and their belief in NMH to take this project to the next level, we are able to overcome the challenges of Covid-19 and see possibilities within the impossibilities,” Tsibes said.Sharnay Botha, the NMH education project coordinator, said for the 2021 edition of the project, greater focus was placed on the pre-primary and early childhood development (ECD) phases. “ECD centres across the country were approached and now over 500 receive weekly educational material in various languages. This number continues to grow as more centres contact us seeking materials. Other kindergartens, day-care centres and after-school facilities have also reached out to receive educational books.”NMH’s main aim is to ensure this project reaches all children, especially those without access to technology, and hopes to continue to invest in the future of Namibian learners so they can reach their full potential.

Reaching children across the country

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Republikein 2025-11-04

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Reaching children across the country

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