Swakopmund: The Open Doors Education Centre (ODEC) has affirmed its commitment to providing affordable and quality education to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
According to Namibia Press Agency, ODEC was established in Swakopmund in 2021 under the Tangeni Shilongo Namibia Association, a non-governmental organisation supporting children, families, and communities. ODEC initially launched a project school in the DRC informal settlement.
In a recent interview, the institution’s Head of Department, Bernice Eixas, stated that the school’s primary focus is on the DRC community, where they initially started a project school previously hosted in containers. The container facility is currently under construction, prompting the temporary relocation of learners to a different site.
‘Once construction is complete, we will operate two schools under the umbrella of Tangeni Shilongo Namibia,’ Eixas noted. The school offers a progression-based system starting from kindergarten, advancing to pre-primary, and subsequently to primary grades.
Eixas mentioned that this year marks their first Grade 4 class and they are expanding gradually, having catered only up to Grade 3 last year. They also accommodate learners unable to secure pre-primary placements in overcrowded schools. Despite its private status, ODEC adheres to the national curriculum, incorporating Montessori and international methodologies to provide a practical, hands-on learning experience.
To enhance learning outcomes, ODEC limits class sizes to 25 learners per class. ‘Smaller classes allow teachers to focus on each learner’s needs. Overcrowded classrooms hinder both the teacher and the learners, especially when some grasp concepts slower than others,’ the HOD emphasised.
The school also runs an affordable afternoon programme, which includes homework assistance, tutoring in subjects like mathematics and science, and access to a library and IT room. This programme supports Namcol learners, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with resources to prepare for examinations.
Eixas highlighted the socio-economic challenges faced by many families in the DRC informal settlement. ‘Most parents are domestic workers earning less than N.dollars 1 000 monthly and they cannot afford expensive afternoon programmes or private tutors, which typically cost N.dollars 350 per subject. Our initiative therefore eases this burden by offering affordable, quality education.’
There are currently over 250 learners registered at the school.
