Nakayale Private Academy

Nestled between beautiful trees and lush vegetation, you will find Nakayale Academy for Orphans and Marginalised Children. The school, located in Etunda in the western Omusati Region of Namibia, opened its doors in January 2016 with 60 students, offering free tuition and boarding on the 50 hectares of land donated by the Western Diocese of ELCIN. Nakayale Academy for Orphans and Marginalised Children is a unique institution, the only facility to take in children from this remote region, who have been seriously neglected, without access to education, healthcare, clean water and proper feeding and provide them with full board and lodging, clothing, medical care, sports training, art, music and exposure to the world beyond their village. Enrolment is 100 percent free of charge and learners are exposed to the highest standard of education. The education system is based on the learner centred, rotation learning model with one teacher per 15 children in a class, allowing for continuous student-teacher engagement. The programme was developed and adapted for the specific context of these children, such as a complete lack of comprehension of the English language and no form of preschool exposure. Due to the specific fundamentals of the system developed for and implemented at Nakayale, which involves specialised bridging programmes, the children learn basic English reading within the first 6 weeks of enrolment. The teachers at the school are all from the region and receive extensive training and ongoing support from the Director of Nakayale Academy for Orphans and Marginalised Children, Carmen de Villiers. The teachers are also provided with free accommodation, healthcare, nutritional meals and a safe environment and are required to enrol and study towards formal teaching qualifications as part of their employment agreement. Under the watchful eyes of the headmaster and dedicated staff, the students are lovingly supported and guided towards functioning optimally and event