New boundary wall, ceilings for Westside High
Westside High School is focusing on improving its infrastructure to make the school a safe and better place for learning. The school recently took on two initiatives toward infrastructure development, which includes building a new boundary wall and fixing the ceilings within the school with help from the community.Principal Veneza Rheeder emphasised that replacing the boundary wall was a matter of urgency due to its poor condition. Rheeder explained, "The old wall is falling apart and presented a serious safety risk to our learners and staff. Constructing a new boundary wall is essential to create a secure and protective environment for everyone at the school."
The groundbreaking ceremony for the boundary wall was funded by Ehanga Fishing Operations as a significant step in enhancing the learners safety. Karl //Gowaseb, General Manager of Ehanga Fishing Operations, emphasised the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. “We could not wait for a learner to be injured first before we could intervene, prevention is better than being sorry afterwards,” //Gowaseb said.
He continued to explain that a consulting engineering company will work closely with the school to find out the current infrastructural needs.”
Willem Morkel, a parent representative, shares his gratitude, “On behalf of the Westside school parents, I would like to express our immense gratitude. We pledge today to take care and to shepherd this reconstructed boundary wall with utmost care to ensure our children and grandchildren receive education in a safe and conducive learning environment,” he said.
In addition to Ehanga’s support, the Development Bank of Namibia donated N$50 000 toward the school’s development. With a dilapidated roof structure and a boundary wall nearing collapse, the school is faced with budgetary constraints that hinder its ability to fully maintain and repair the school building. At the handover, Rheeder said that the donation came at a time when they were busy enhancing their educational programmes, improving their facilities and creating an enriching environment for the learners' learning and development.
Despite these contributions, the school faces significant financial constraints, with over N$2 million required to complete all necessary renovations.