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Blue bank invests in academic excellence

Blue bank invests in academic excellence

Standard Bank recently awarded some of the country’s top performing learner’s with cash prizes worth over N$300,000.

This development is part of the bank’s Corporate Social Investment initiative – part of a longstanding partnership the bank has with the Ministry of Education in investing in the Academic Excellence programme.

The top three best performing Grade 10 and 12 learners in each region with a cash prize. The top performer in each region for both Grade 10 and 12 received N$4,000, while the first runner up received N$3000 and the second runner up N$2,000.

“This celebration is really notable in the sense that the learners present here today have performed exceptionally well, despite the fact that most of them come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This shows that one should never allow your circumstances or background to limit you from reaching for the stars. So let’s celebrate our young stars and future leaders,” Standard Bank’s Chairperson of the CSI Board Dr Ndapewa Hamunime, said during the prize giving ceremony last week.

She explained that Standard Bank realized earlier on that there is a need to acknowledge those learners who have distinguished themselves by passing with flying colours through an initiative called ‘Investing in Academic Excellence’. This initiative was launched way back in 2010 and has been a success ever since.

The Best Improved Government School, St. Charles Lwanga Senior Secondary, also be receiving N$50 000 towards a project of their choice, courtesy of Standard Bank. A total of 83 learners received the prize monies.

The Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, said she was appreciative of the sponsors for their commitment every year and that her Ministry valued their friendship and partnership.

“Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of high intention. The Ministry and its sponsors have realised how important the event is as it serves to reward and acknowledge those who have worked hard throughout the year,” the minister added.

She also said she wanted to recognise the efforts of the teachers and all their hard work to ensure that learners excel. Additionally, she expressed her hopes that the award ceremony serves as a motivational tool for all to promote quality teaching and learning.

“The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, its key stakeholders and Namibia as a whole must be proud to give credit where it’s due. It boosts the morale of the child and encourage them to excel, be it in formal education or tertiary education, hence the event,” she explained.

Hanse-Himarwa added that education is a key and major driver of socio-economic development. She trusts that the country will produce competent and skill based workforce.

“I want to call on all stakeholders to stand firm and work together continuously to render the necessary support. Education empowers individuals not to fall back into the life of poverty. We need to fulfill a collective responsibility to mould our learners and root out failure,” Hanse-Himarwa said.


 

 

About The Author

Donald Matthys

Donald Matthys has been part of the media fraternity since 2015. He has been working at the Namibia Economist for the past three years mainly covering business, tourism and agriculture. Donald occasionally refers to himself as a theatre maker and has staged two theatre plays so far. Follow him on twitter at @zuleitmatthys