Otjimuhaka Primary School, situated on the outskirts of Opuwo in the Kunene Region, has taken the initiative to conduct door-to-door campaigns to encourage parents to enrol their children for the academic year.

Located along the Kunene River, bordering southern Angola, the school serves a rural, semi-nomadic population, including about 86 learners from across the border.

Otjimuhaka Primary currently has a learner population of 287, following a successful enrolment drive through its outreach activities. This year, the school registered 308 learners; however, 21 learners later dropped out.

The school principal, Elias Uusizi, said, "We go door to door, begging parents to bring their children to school, checking on the education we are providing here. To us, this is normal, but in the books, it’s something different. We also want to be where the families are."

Established in 2022, Otjimuhaka Primary now has 11 teachers, including the principal, and offers classes from pre-primary to Grade 7. However, its origins are far from conventional, having operated in 2002 as an Ondao mobile school.

Kunene Region Education Director Sophia Ferdrieck explained that "Back then, teachers had to follow the children as they moved with their grazing areas, and this school was one of them. Once we identify communities that are settling, we convert the mobile unit into a permanent structure. These teachers carried their tents; one side served as a classroom and the other as sleeping quarters for both teachers and learners. What we appreciate is that the community now understands the value of education."

The school’s only hostel, designed to accommodate 70 learners, now accommodates over 150 pupils, forcing two learners to share a bed.

The community also faces persistent health challenges, including malnutrition, malaria and flu, while a lack of clean water and sanitation affects basic hygiene practices.

During a recent visit, Japanese Ambassador to Namibia Shinichi Asazuma and UNICEF Representative Samuel Ocran donated sanitary equipment and teaching aids to the school.

Praising the team for its work, UNICEF Representative Samuel Ocran said, "Well done to you and your team. It is excellent work you’re doing here. We hope this small token from Japan will go a long way in improving sanitation at the school. We have also heard the challenges you raised and will convey them to the Ministry of Education. We are confident they will take action."