Venaani bemoans closure of flood-hit schools

Tuyeimo Haidula -

Enzo AmueleOKANDJENGEDI / ONDANGWA

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani says the closure of schools is not a solution to mitigate the impact of floods currently wreaking havoc in northern Namibia.

Instead, government should consider sourcing rubber boats to transport affected learners to school, he said.

Venaani, who was speaking at Okandjengedi on Wednesday morning, said the closure of schools will have an impact on the national results at the end of the year. His party donated mattresses and tents worth N$30 000 to assist those affected by the flood. His remarks come after he made a trip to Oshikango in the Ohangwena Region where 18 schools - with an affected population of over 8 000 - face closure.

So far, 11 schools have been closed in the region, affecting close to 4 000 learners.

Venaani implored mining companies and business people to meet government halfway in addressing the needs of those affected by the flood.

“We cannot allow schools to close because of a problem we know. We need rubber boats to ferry children from their homesteads to schools and back so their academic calendar is not disrupted,” he said.

Year in, year out

The PDM leader also took a swipe at the emergency response unit in Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s office, who on Monday also visited the flood-affected areas to assess the damage.

“I know it should not be used as a political ball game, but the government does nothing year in, year out. We are very worried. The prime minister should come to the party. The emergency response unit of our country is weak and non-responsive.

“A government emergency response which is not responding. I saw children sleeping on the floor. I saw elders all in one tent, 40 of them. Are you telling me the army of this country does not have tents? Is this how we want to respond?” he asked.

“Start building, even 10 this year. If we build catchment areas and put up canals, we will be able to mitigate the floodwater for the betterment of our people.”

Another one

Meanwhile, the directorate of education, arts and culture in Oshana has suspended teaching at Oikango Combined School in the Ompundja circuit.

Oshana education director Hilma Nuunyango-George confirmed the closure of the school to Namibian Sun, saying “when the learners came to school on Tuesday morning, they found the school surrounded by floodwater, which made it impossible for learners and teachers to access the school premises”.

She said the school’s management has come up with a temporary solution for grade nine learners to prepare them for their semi-external national examinations at the end of the year.

Learners and teachers will meet every Friday to assess the progress made and for new activities to be shared.

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