School to resume on 26 January
06 January 2021 | Education
WINDHOEK
The minister of education, arts and culture, Anna Nghipondoka, has announced that public and private schools will reopen on 26 January, instead of 14 January as was previously announced.
Nghipondoka said the postponement was because of the rising cases of Covid-19 in the country.
She further announced that teachers will resume work on 14 January, while pending results for “advanced subsidiary learners” will be released on 16 February.
The decision was made in consultation with the offices of the president and the prime minister, the ministry of health and social services, the Namibia National Teachers Union and other stakeholders.
“Considering the various regulations issued on Covid-19 by the ministry of health and social services regarding physical distancing, wearing of masks and sanitising, the ministry of education, arts and culture has put various mechanisms in place to ensure implementation in schools and school preparedness as per the various formal education circulars that were issued in 2020.
“Parents are responsible for ensuring that each learner is provided with a face mask and the correct information on wearing it,” Nghipondoka said.
Preparedness
She said school managers are expected to evaluate their preparedness for the return of all learners on the proposed dates.
“Regional directors are requested to ensure that schools are supported in the process of reopening,” she said.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula on Sunday reported that the ministry continued to record an increasing number of cases among learners and teachers despite them being on holiday.