WINDHOEK, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Tuesday officially launched the Namibia School Feeding Information Management System (NaSIS), a web-based system that aims to provide real-time performance data and streamline the management and implementation of the country's school feeding program.
Speaking at the launch, Faustina Caley, deputy minister of education, arts and culture, highlighted Namibia's commitment to addressing immediate hunger among school-going children, thereby increasing their concentration, attention span, and overall academic performance.
Caley underscored the advantages of digital technologies, explaining that NaSIS offers more efficient data collection, analysis, and management capabilities. "Taking the initiative to develop a tailor-made web-based system like NaSIS is a step in the right direction because it will provide real-time performance data focusing on the ongoing tracking of the program's activities to inform meaningful actions for better management and implementation of the program in our schools."
She emphasized that the school feeding program serves as a safety net, ensuring that children have access to nutritious meals, which contributes to improved school participation, enrollment, attendance, and cognitive development.
Namibia has long recognized the pivotal role of information and communications technology (ICT) in national development, particularly in the education sector, Caley said, adding that the ministry has proactively created an ICT Policy for education, promoting the use and development of ICT tools to enhance teaching, learning, and administrative processes.
NaSIS is a prime example of the country's commitment to leveraging ICT to deliver high-quality services, improve data management, and facilitate information sharing related to the school feeding program, she said.
Caley called for "Friends of Education" and ICT sector partners to contribute by providing schools with necessary ICT equipment and services, saying this support will ensure that NaSIS and other web-based solutions can be fully utilized to enhance the management and implementation of the school feeding program, ultimately benefiting the students and promoting their educational development. ■