The Omusati Education Directorate, during the regional presentation ceremony of prizes, honoured its winning team, which scooped top honours at the National Debate and Science Fair Competition.

Omusati claimed the first prize, bringing home N$500,000. Additionally, the champions in the National Debate Competition received N$5,000 each.

The region's team comprised learners from different schools, including Canisianum Roman Catholic High, Ontoko Combined, Jerry Ekandjo Combined, Shoopala Combined, Haudano Secondary School and Ruacana High School – squaring off against other academic powerhouses, the likes of |Khomas and Erongo regions.

Governor of the Omusati Region, Immanuel Shikongo, lauded the opportunities presented by the National Science Fair and Debate Championship in inspiring learners to search for solutions to real-life challenges via the STEM disciplines.

"As a nation, we must continue to create opportunities for our learners to innovate, to question, to debate, and to dream. Our youth are our greatest resource; by equipping them with scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, we empower them to become the architects of a prosperous Namibia."

When asked how the region would utilise the prize money, Omusati regional education director Paulus Kashimbi stated, "This money is allocated for a specific project that the region must determine, and during a management meeting, we decided to use it for IT equipment. The details of that IT equipment will be provided later."

Paulina Shiweda is a learner from Ruacana High School and a participant in the debate competition. She shared her excitement, adding that "when we were there at Namport, we were undermined because we are from the north and all that, but our coaches told us that we can take this to the north because there is no difference between a child from the north and a child from the south; we are all kids and have the same brain, so I am so happy."