Education is a basic human right and a foundation for peace and sustainable development.
DAPP Namibia contributes to inclusive and equitable education through 3 education projects:
Sustainable Development Goal number 4 is about education:
Ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all.
DAPP Namibia has made efforts to contribute to inclusive and equitable education by establishing pre-schools for young children in villages, where learning through play is key. The Pre-schools of the Future programme developed together with Humana People to People is being used and this programme treats children as valuable human beings while they are exploring the world around them and learning to interact with others. In 2014 DAPP Namibia established a special course for training Pre-school Teachers of the Future. During this two-year course students are challenged to go and discover their own country, meet people from all walks of life, and try out things they have never tried before.
This prepares them to become pre-school teachers that will understand the importance of letting young children use their curiosity to explore and to learn through play.
DAPP Namibia will keep aiming at giving every child the best start in life, provide quality foundation in education and train young people in skills and attitudes relevant for creating a better tomorrow.
The VTS offers National Vocational Certificates and Diplomas, consisting of a comprehensive study curriculum comprising theory, practical, and general knowledge. The curriculum is tailored for young Namibians and based on approved national Industry Sector Skills Plans. Located in the Omusati region, all programmes offered by the school are accredited and recognised by the national bodies, the Namibia Qualification Authority and Namibia Training Authority.
The school operates production units such as poultry, goat production, vegetable gardening, aquaponics, kindergarten practice, brickmaking and more with the objective of offering students an opportunity to apply gained skills and knowledge obtained during training. Overall, the project has the objective of equipping students with essential vocational and supportive life skills that prepare them to economically sustain themselves and contribute to community development and the national GDP.
The DAPP Private School offers primary and junior secondary education from grades 1 to 11. The school works in cooperation with and is aligned with the national education structure supported by the Ministry of Education.
The school has a specific objective to educate children in these basic grades and to lead them through the state-administered examination at the end of grade 11, so as to facilitate the development of each learner to his or her full potential and equip them to continue with their education.
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The school was started in 1997 as a result of a true community initiative where parents and DAPP Namibia joined hands to construct the school buildings
Since then, the school with its committed teachers and leadership has led learners to achieve good academic results and it has been a training ground for many teachers to advance to head of department and principal positions elsewhere.
In the 2023 school year, the teachers and learners focused on the learning in the different grades according to the curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education, Art and Culture. Besides the daily activities, the learners participated in different special events together with other schools, such as, the Science Fair Competition, the Spelling Bee Competition, and the Mathematics Olympiad.
The learners from DAPP Private School positioned themselves well and these events inspired and motivated learners to make extra efforts. The learners in grade 9 enjoyed their school tour to the coastal towns and to Windhoek and had many new and unforgettable experiences, that helped them to understand history, geography and other topics better. Grade 4-6 learners, visited Etosha National Park and were amazed to see many wild animals close up.
The school also hosted sporting events for netball and soccer tournaments and participated in those they were invited to. Parents came for several meetings at the school and initiated fundraising for a new school hall to be constructed in the future.
DAPP Kindergarten welcomes children from 3 to 6 years of age with a two-year early childhood development programme and a one-year pre-primary programme for 5 to 6-year-old children.
The DAPP Kindergarten aims to implement activities that are fun, engaging, and educative both indoors in the classroom and outdoors with an understanding that children of these ages learn best through play. Headlines such as: Use your brain, your body, and your hands divide daily activities that let the children explore the exciting world around us. Teachers guide the children with a lot of positive encouragement
The DAPP Kindergarten consists of 3 classrooms, and a big outdoor space with a playground all based in a safe environment at the DAPP Centre neighbouring the DAPP Private School and the DAPP Vocational Training School. The kindergarten is fenced so that children can play safely at the playground and enjoy their refreshments in the shaded area with tables and benches. The kindergarten operates with expenses covered by parents paying monthly school fees.
Students from the ECD Teacher Training Course have the opportunity to practice and build their teaching and caring skills with the children at the DAPP Kindergarten. This is a win-win situation for the children and teachers as the students often bring new interesting topics and ways.
The DAPP Kindergarten holds parent meetings and works in good collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. In 2019, the classrooms were renovated with the floors being tiled and the walls painted. Another new development was the establishment of a big shaded area with new tables and benches for all the children to sit and eat, meet and play.
Students enrolled in the National Vocational Certificate in Agriculture
Students enrolled in the Diploma in Early Childhood Development
Students enrolled in the National Vocational Certificate in Building Science
Learners enrolled at DAPP Private School
Children benefited from early childhood education through the DAPP Kindergarten
Practical learning in sustainable agriculture led to 2 new gardens & 2 re-established nurseries
Education-driven community engagement: 4 outreach initiatives, 2 school events, and 2 climate change projects
