Extraordinary academic achievement
deserves to be rewarded and recognized by the community. Last Friday,
hundreds of teachers, administrators and students from across
Ohangwena Region had the pleasure of gathering at the Dr. Abraham
Iiyambo Senior Secondary School for the 2014 Academic Year Awards
Ceremony. Entering the campus, there was a palpable air of excitement
and mirth as visiting dignitaries from across the region arrived and
old friends saw each other again. The school's boys and girls choir
welcomed everyone with traditional songs and brought up everyone's
energy. Befitting the occasion, the school had set up four massive
tents around a large green field to make the gathered guests
comfortable and shade us a from the beating sun. Music played over
loudspeakers and everyone knew this was a day to celebrate all of the
progress over the past year.
When the program began, everyone stood
to say a prayer and to sing the Namibian national anthem and the
anthem of the African Union. The feelings of pride and achievement
which the day's ceremony was to honor could be felt in the
enthusiastic singing of all those assembled. We heard speeches
espousing the supreme importance of education and the role of the
schools in their communities across Ohangwena Region. But the most
moving speech was given by the invited motivational speaker. She had
grown up in very adverse circumstances in a remote village, facing
great challenges as she grew up and had to work extremely hard to
support her family and continue her education. But through
perseverance she was able to gain a quality education and went on to
great successes in life because of her sedulous persistence in
pursuing her dreams. When she finished, all of the teachers and
students cheered, knowing that her words were a true testament of
what is possible. Each young person was given a true example before
their very eyes of someone who has achieved success despite great
odds, and they knew they could do the same.
After the speeches, it was time to
give the coveted awards, awards that represented a year of hard work
on the part of everyone in Ohangwena Regions's education system.
Recognizing that life at school is a holistic experience, there were
awards for the Best Hostel, the Best Counseling and Support Services,
and the Best HIV and AIDS Activities. But the most important awards
were those recognizing academic achievement and improvement. The top
teachers in every subject were given certificates recognizing their
achievement, receiving cash prizes, books, and even electronic
tablets. Some even had percentages of 100% which elicited huge cheers
from the audience. Those learners who had earned exemplary grades
were honored in front of their peers with certificates, school
supplies, and scholarships, with many of the top learners coming from
the H.Haufiku SS, Mwadikange KSS, Ponhofi SS, Ongha SS, and Eegendjo
SS, among other schools. Understanding that improvement over time is
as honorable an achievement as consistent high performance, there was
an award for the Most Improved School, Oshandi CS, and the Most
Sustained Improvement, Oshamono CS. Throughout the ceremony teachers
and students cheered and applauded their peers and colleagues who
were called up to the podium to receive their awards in public
recognition of their hard work. The ceremony was a very visible
affirmation that perseverance and determination in school pays off
and that the most important kinds of success is honored in the best
kind of way. Most of all it was a hugely encouraging day for all of
those who tried but were not able to reach the highest levels of
academic achievement. They saw that with hard work they too can
succeed and reach great heights.
As professional librarians, the staff of the Ohangwena Regional Library is thrilled at the dramatic strides forward taken by the schools, teachers, and pupils of our region. But we know that such successes must be sustained and further growth enabled. Earlier in the year, the library was very proud to host a Read-A-Thon to encourage pleasure reading in young people. Schools which excelled in Read-A-Thon activities were Mirjam Shihepo P and Hamutenya PS of the Eenhana circuit, and they were publicly applauded and honored at the Award Ceremony. This recognition is a positive initial step, but we envision so much more. Next year we intend to see entire new award categories created: for the Best Community Library within Ohangwena, the Best Community Librarian, and perhaps most importantly, Best School Library and Best School Librarian. Also, learners and adult patrons who most fully utilize the libraries should be praised and rewarded for their alacrity to seize the opportunities around them. The librarians across Ohangwena play a critical role in promoting education for adult and young learners, and their hard work should be publicly recognized and their contributions promulgated to build an increased appreciation for school and community libraries, librarians, and their place in the educational constellation.
As professional librarians, the staff of the Ohangwena Regional Library is thrilled at the dramatic strides forward taken by the schools, teachers, and pupils of our region. But we know that such successes must be sustained and further growth enabled. Earlier in the year, the library was very proud to host a Read-A-Thon to encourage pleasure reading in young people. Schools which excelled in Read-A-Thon activities were Mirjam Shihepo P and Hamutenya PS of the Eenhana circuit, and they were publicly applauded and honored at the Award Ceremony. This recognition is a positive initial step, but we envision so much more. Next year we intend to see entire new award categories created: for the Best Community Library within Ohangwena, the Best Community Librarian, and perhaps most importantly, Best School Library and Best School Librarian. Also, learners and adult patrons who most fully utilize the libraries should be praised and rewarded for their alacrity to seize the opportunities around them. The librarians across Ohangwena play a critical role in promoting education for adult and young learners, and their hard work should be publicly recognized and their contributions promulgated to build an increased appreciation for school and community libraries, librarians, and their place in the educational constellation.
