Six classrooms were inaugurated at the A.A. Denk Memorial School in Kalkrand.
The classrooms were constructed through a grant of close to 18 million dollars from the Japanese government.
The small village of Kalkrand, with its population of just over 1600 people, came alive when dignitaries, joined by the community, gathered at the school for the inauguration ceremony.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, said the project forms part of ongoing education infrastructure work under the Namibia-Japan cooperation programme.
"This is the fourth handover this year. If you were also listening carefully, he said, N$82 million has been invested through this partnership. Can we please give our ambassador a big round of applause? Ambassador, we are truly grateful, and we deeply appreciate the continued support of the government and the people of Japan. Now, I want to speak to the school. There was a report that I read, and it was confirmed by your principal earlier this morning that this school has approximately 273 learners for the 2026 academic year."
The Governor of Hardap Region, Riaan McNab, said the facilities represent opportunity, dignity, hope, and commitment to education investment.
"We welcome you with a warm heart in Kalkrand, in the dusty town of Kalkrand, because this is where legends are born. Your presence here today demonstrates the strong friendship. I would also like to acknowledge the one who thanked you, who has been invested in our region through different infrastructure developments across our education sector. Just to mention a few, there is the construction of ablution facilities in four classrooms."
McNab said similar projects are taking place in other regions, including Ohangwena Region, Kavango East Region, and Hardap Region.
He said learners should consider further study opportunities, including study in Japan.
Ambassador Shinichi Asazuma said the six additional classrooms will benefit about 130 learners and will ease overcrowding in classrooms.
"The Government of Japan prioritises funding schools in far-reaching corners of Namibia that are faced with insufficient learning conditions for learners. We are pleased to be handing over here in the Hardap region as a clear intention that the government of Japan's assistance will reach all corners of Namibia in all 14 regions."
The A.A. Denk memorial school was established in 1952 at the initiative of its founder, Adolf Adriaan Denk, under the auspices of the Methodist Church, and in 1978 it relocated to its current premises, offering grades one to six in four classrooms.