Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Education has committed to providing tents and boats to schools in the Zambezi Region that have been affected by flooding.
This commitment was made during the recent visit of the Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, to the Zambezi Region, where she visited Namiyundu Primary School and Nankuntwe Combined School, both of which have been impacted by the floods.
The Minister’s visit follows the temporary closure of affected schools due to flooding in the region. According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, the Zambezi River’s water level decreased slightly between Thursday and Friday, dropping from 6.94 m to 6.84 m. Nonetheless, flooding in the region has persisted, cutting residents off from critical services, including schools.
Photos: Ministry of Education Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture
“The visit provided the Minister with a firsthand look at the difficult conditions faced by both learners and teachers at these schools, such as the rising floodwaters that have made access to the schools extremely challenging, with some areas only reachable by boat,” the Ministry of Education explained.
The Ministry further revealed that, in addition to tents and boats, it has identified temporary learning spaces, water tanks, improved toilet and sanitation facilities, additional food supplies, mattresses, blankets, toiletries, and learning materials as part of the immediate needs for schools in the region.
“The Minister indicated that consideration is being given to temporarily relocating teachers and learners to schools situated on higher ground, to enable them to recover lost teaching and learning time. Despite the challenges, the Minister reassured communities that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that every child has access to education. Dr. Sanet L. Steenkamp also called for continued cooperation from schools management, teachers, learners, and especially parents, who are currently playing a vital role in preparing meals for learners and remaining at the schools to care for them and ensure their safety,” the ministry added.
