Heavy rains posed threats to school infrastructure, teachers and pupils after rain water destroyed learning materials and walkways at Rundu’s Sikanduko Junior Primary School in the Kavango East region on Wednesday.
Acting principal Eugenia Hausiku says the Grade 0 and pre-primary classes were suspended, and pupils were taught outside due to the damage.
“Our school board chairperson and headwoman witnessed the damage of some of the books,” Hausiku notes.
Senior teacher and member of management Alberth Moko says the Grade 0 or pre-primary classes’ roofs were severely damaged, and the school also lack’s permanent structure.
“Some of the challenges that we are facing here at our school is that 1 058 pupils are sharing two toilets, and the septic tanks get full immediately in a day,” Moko states.
He says to avoid that, pupils are forced to use the combined school toilets.
“Pupils are using the pit latrine which is not very safe with this weather,” Moko states.
He further outlines that the structures are not weather friendly, particularly when it’s very hot or cold.
School board chairperson Andreas Sizura says the rain did not just destroy the learning materials, and structure but also threatened their lives.
“People are crying to the government for help, but a blind eye is turned to problem,” he says.
Kavango East education regional director Christine Shilima says the incident was not reported to her office yet.
“I will go there tomorrow (today) to learn about the situation before I will give a comment,” Shilima says.
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