Vineyard Christian Learning Center in Nkurenkuru has celebrated its 10th anniversary, highlighting its contribution to education, employment and the local economy over the past decade.

The school's 10th-anniversary celebration was held on Friday to reflect on its operations and development in the region.

Founder and director Douglas Kapisi says the school currently employs 42 staff members, contributing to job creation in Kavango West.

He says the planned expansion to Grade 10 in 2027 will increase the school's capacity and create more employment opportunities.

"And now, from 2027, we are going to have Grade 10. That alone is a milestone in the establishment of the Vineyard Christian Learning Centre, and we are still hoping we are going to contribute to employment, and the parents will manage to raise their children in their homes instead of sending them away."

One of the teachers, Luise Kanime, says private schools are helping to absorb qualified teachers who might otherwise remain unemployed.

She says the schools are also supporting government efforts to provide employment opportunities for education graduates.

"I would like to thank private school owners because they made our lives easier. They are trying to absorb unemployed teachers in the market, and they give us jobs; it makes our lives easy. All the private schools around the country are doing whatever they are doing because the government is really being helped, because they are meeting our government halfway in providing job opportunities, especially to the graduates. A lot of teachers are out there; they are suffering. They do not have jobs, but private schools are really doing wonders."

The school director said the expansion will create more jobs and help families keep their children in school closer to home.