The WJD Cloete Combined School at Rietoog about 120 kilometres south of Rehoboth, has received a classroom block and storage facility at a cost of one-comma-four million dollars.

The project, funded by Wilderness Namibia, will benefit learners from pre-primary to Grade 9, mainly from farm workers and lodge employees in the area.

The school was founded 81 years ago by farmer WJD Cloete with just two classrooms.

Eighty one years down the line, the school had only five principals.

Academically, the school continues to excel, with five learners placing in the Hardap Region's top 10 rankings.

The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema congratulated the region for improving its AS Level performance from position 12 to position 2 nationally.

"Please keep up the good work and continue to restore the dignity of the people by taking them out of poverty. And the governor said it so well that education is the only, only instrument that will help us to come out of poverty, and that is also sustainable"

She further encouraged the extension of the curriculum to include Grade 10 and Technical and Vocational Education and Training. 

The school principal, Ivan Cloete expressed appreciation to both Wilderness Namibia and government for investing in rural education.

"More than a million dollars were sourced and provided to give us a building, a place where our learners can learn and build their futures. So, let our learners listen today. This is not just a building, but this is a place where you can build and shape your futures."

Wilderness Namibia Agnes Kerrii said the project carries significance under the company's "Children in the Wilderness" programme, which supports environmental education initiatives and school libraries.

"As Wilderness Namibia, our commitment continues beyond today. We remain grounded in partnership supporting education, youth development and community well-being, not as a short-term initiative but as a long-term shared journey.May these classrooms be filled with learning confidence and the great opportunities lined up."

The new facilities are expected to ease overcrowding among 319 learners, who were previously accommodated in classes of up to 40 learners, and to improve overall learning conditions.

The event also featured a tree-planting ceremony.