The school opened its doors in 2015 and was subsequently inaugurated in 2017. The event saw the installation of 3-kilowatt solar systems which have a lifespan of 25 years at two schools. The project also replaced energy inefficient lights with energy efficient ones at both the Ongogo & Otjikojo school. The project subsequently repaired and modernised the solar system at the Ohaijuua with lithium ion.
The school lacked electricity because the school is geographically situated far away from the electricity grid, which resulted in low academic performance of the school’s pupils. The pupils could only study during their afternoon study sessions but are now able to continue their studies in the hostel as well. The hostel itself lacked electricity and the pupils slept in the dark and safety was of pupils was a concern.
The school hosts 183 pupils, who hail from the surrounding villages as well as10 staff members. The number of pupils and the geographical location of the school from the electrification grid was a selection criterion for the school to be electrified.
The Deputy German Ambassador to Namibia, Ellen Gölz, was in attendance and outlined that the installation of the solar panel may not make a large dent with respects to the energy demands of the region, but a different will be made to those who will benefit from it.
Deputy Ambassador Ellen Gölz went further and said that, “learners will have lights for their studies and it has improved the hostel’s safety and security.”
The director of energy, from the Ministry of Mines and Energy John Titus mentioned through partnership and the use of renewable energy school as well as smaller villages can be electrified.
Regional representative of the for the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Clemens von Doderer had this to say, “The school is now electrified, and now is the tie to shine and to perform in your schoolwork.”
Clemens von Doderer placed an emphasis on the importance of primary school education and said that “primary education has specific goals that make it a critical component of an educational system as a whole.”
