Zambezi parents urged to escort children to schools in floodplains

Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu is urging parents in the region’s floodplains to escort their children to school for their safety.

Sampofu yesterday said the Muzii Combined, Nankuntwe Combined, and Mpukano Junior Primary schools are completely surrounded by floodwaters and are only accessible by boat or traditional canoe.

“The floods are not at a life-threatening stage yet, as they are still at 4.5m, but parents should nonetheless escort their children to school, as some streams are deep, and they may have paddling challenges.

“This could lead to canoes capsizing and children drowning,” he said.

Sampofu said some pupils are camping out at school to avoid the daily back-and-forth with canoes.

“The floods have not prompted a situation where schools need to be closed or relocated. However, the education directorate has sent a team to assess the situation on the ground.

“We will then provide tents, food, and other assistance, depending on what their needs are after the assessment,” he said.

Sampofu said boats are available to ferry residents in need of medical attention to the nearest clinic.

The principals of the affected schools last week told The Namibian that pupils are also exposed to crocodiles, snakes, and hippos while on their way to school and back.

Furthermore, they expressed a need for the schools to either be closed or relocated due to these dangers, as well as unhygienic environments, and conditions such as septic tanks overflowing.

They said they need tents, food, boats, building materials, and snake repellents.