Omusati school falling apart

LOOSE ceiling boards and cracked walls are a safety concern for pupils of the Tsandi Junior Secondary School in the Omusati region.

The cracks in the walls are so large that during heavy rains or strong winds, the walls could easily collapse, while the corrugated roof sheets could be blown away during storms. In addition, most of the school’s windows are broken.

Some pupils told The Namibian last week that the Grade 8 classrooms are the most dilapidated.

The pupils, who showed The Namibian around, said the school’s condition was hampering their studies.

“When it is raining or windy, learning becomes difficult,” said one pupil, while pointing at a loose ceiling board. “We want the government to make a plan for us.”

School principal Jerobeam Shatiwa acknowledged the issues at his school.

“All you have said is true. We are facing a big challenge with regards to the block which is housing our Grade 8 classrooms.

The building is old, and is a big risk to pupils and teachers alike,” he stated.

Shatiwa said there were bats nesting in the ceilings of all the classes, and the creatures sometimes disturbed lessons.

“A teacher could be teaching, and when bats start moving and make noises there, the lesson will be disturbed as pupils’ attention would be drawn to the bats,” he explained.

He noted that at times, a bat would emerge from the ceiling, frightening pupils and putting an end to a lesson.

He also mentioned that in 2015, a pupil was stung by a scorpion that fell from a hanging ceiling.

“It is a very serious situation. Education is compromised. Those bats are even emitting a strong odour that disturbs lessons and risks the health of our pupils and teachers. If you enter those classes and you are allergic, you might even develop pimples or something,” he said.

Shatiwa, who only started at the school this year, said in 2012, officials from the regional education office visited the school to assess the situation, and made recommendations. Nothing has happened since.

“We hope something will be done,” he stressed.

Shatiwa wants the education ministry to make the situation at the school a priority, and to prrovide them with proper buildings.

“Our classes are enough, looking at the number of pupils we have. However, many classes are not in a good shape and need to be renovated. If they give us new ones, we will thank them,” he continued.

The school has 186 pupils,12 teachers and three non-teaching staff.Omusati education director Laban Shapange could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered. Text messages sent to his phone were also not answered.