Grade 6 and 7 learners from Mandume Primary School in Katutura, Windhoek, are gaining valuable practical learning experiences during an educational tour of the Erongo Region.

The educational tour is providing the learners with lessons beyond the classroom, while encouraging curiosity and a greater appreciation of Namibia’s diverse landscapes, communities, industries and natural heritage.

For the learners, the journey through the Erongo Region is not only a school excursion, but also an opportunity to discover more about the country they call home.

The excursion is giving the learners an opportunity to move beyond the classroom and explore Namibia’s industries, natural environment, history and tourism attractions.

The group first travelled to Arandis, where they visited the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) and were introduced to technical and vocational training, as well as the skills required in Namibia’s mining and industrial sectors.

The learners are now exploring the coastal areas, including Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, with visits to Henties Bay and Cape Cross also forming part of their itinerary.

Moses Haundjodjo, Head of Department for Mathematics and Science at Mandume Primary School and the leader of the excursion, said the main purpose of the tour was to allow learners to explore and familiarise themselves with their own country.

According to Haundjodjo, the excursion is particularly important because it allows learners to experience things they may only have read about in textbooks.

“We brought learners here for them to explore, to see how nature is, and also to familiarise themselves with our own country,” he said. He added that first-hand experiences can play an important role in a child’s education. “That’s the main important thing, for them to come and just see with their own eyes,” Haundjodjo said.

By Rudi Bowe