Feature: From tent to modern campus -- China-aided school brings joy to Namibian students

Located in the heart of Otjomuise suburb area in Namibian capital Windhoek, the Chairman Mao Zedong School began the first intake of students on Monday as classes resume for the second trimester.

Previously taught in tents and pre-fabricated structure at the Jan Mohr project school in Windhoek, the students' hearts dwell in joy as they set foot on the campus of the new school, which was named in honour of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

"We have been waiting for this day for a long time. We are amused to have moved to a well-equipped school," said Veripuami Tjipueja, a student.

"It's an honour. And for this we are grateful to the leadership of the People's Republic of China and Government of the Republic of Namibia for investing in our future through the construction of this school," said Tjipueja. "I am committed to do my best and achieve all I can."

Other students are as delighted. "For years, we were taught under temporary structures. And finally the time has come to start a new school life at this wonderful school. We have been looking forward to this day for a long time," said Aisha Uiras, a student leader.

The state-of-the-art school, which caters for Grades 8-12 and has the capacity to accommodate 690 learners, culminates from a bilateral agreement signed between the Government of the People's Republic of China and Government of the Republic of Namibia in August 2011.

The school is well-equipped with facilities comprising hostel for 220 students, staff accommodation, dining hall, 23 classrooms, chemistry and physics laboratory, computer laboratory, music room, multi-purpose hall and a sport field.

This, the students said, will enable them to excel and engage in extra-curricular activities.

"Due to limited space from the project school we were being taught, I didn't participate in sports," said Uiras.

Now, "I will be able to maximize on extra-curricular opportunities such as music. I will explore and groom my talents; a chance I was not previously afforded as we had limited facilities at the former school," said Uiras.

Parents and the community have also welcomed the opening of the school.

According to Naemi Shikongo, in an area surrounded by shanty structures and an informal settlement, the school has also changed the landscape of the area. "Its good structure is a boost for us," she added.

The school has not only added a new dimension to the area's landscape, but has also brought educational services at the community's doorsteps, said the rejoicing community members.

"Our children will no longer have to walk long distances to other schools to access education because we don't have money to spend on transport fares thus they end up walking long distances. I would therefore like to extend my gratitude and word of appreciation to the Chinese government and Namibian government for bring services to our door steps," Shikongo shared with Xinhua.

Shikongo is not alone. Selma Uuyuni is a resident of Otjomuise 7de Laan. She has lived in the area since 2005. Like Shikongo, Uuyuni applauded the Chinese Government and the Chinese Embassy in Namibia for accelerating development and provision of quality education to the community.

In the interim, to sustain the school, the community has pledged to safeguard the school.

"To honour the Chinese legacy, my role and fellow parents is now to mobilize and ensure that learners maximize on the educational facility developed for them," Uuyuni said. Endit