Staff Reporter
THE eight-year wait for the construction of a hostel facility at Schukmansburg Combined School in Luhonono, Zambezi Region, has finally come to an end.
The school’s hostel was recently inaugurated following its successful completion. Speaking at the inauguration, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah revealed that the facility includes four hostels for girls and boys, a dining hall, a matron’s house, sick bays, a service block, and security provisions. This development was made possible by a total investment of N$106.9 million.
Nandi-Ndaitwah explained that the Zambezi Region faces several unique challenges, including floods that disrupt school activities. The completion of the hostel, she emphasised, is therefore significant as it directly addresses these challenges by providing a stable and secure environment where learning can thrive, even in the face of natural adversity.
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office. 
PICTURED: Scenes from the inauguration of the hostel. Photos: MICT Zambezi Regional Office.
“We are not merely opening a hostel; we are opening doors to new opportunities. The advantages of hostel living are immense. Learners residing in hostels benefit from increased safety, as they are housed in a secure environment that minimizes risks associated with long daily commutes. The reduction of long walking distances to and from school allows for more time spent on academic pursuits, which is 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,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The completion of this project was not without challenges. The Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, revealed that the project’s initial construction began on 11 August 2016, but completion was delayed due to various obstacles. These included accessibility issues, poor road conditions, and seasonal floods, which hindered progress. Despite the contractors’ efforts, she added, the contract had to be terminated due to non-performance.
“However, resilience is at the heart of our mission. On September 8, 2022, we handed this vital project over to August 26 Construction Company. Under the leadership of Col. Martha Endjala, they embraced the challenge, demonstrating unwavering commitment and successfully completing the project within the scheduled 24 months, and budget,” Nghipondoka said.
