Schools abandoned after heavy rains

Learning in some schools in northern Namibia has been affected after heavy rains experienced on Tuesday evening and the early morning hours of yesterday.

Schools in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions were flooded, with classrooms and offices under water.

The whole of northern Namibia has received good rains in the last few days. According to the weather bureau, Oshikango received the highest rainfall of 94.6mm while Oshakati reported 44.6mm.

The heavy downpours also disrupted traffic at northern towns during the morning peak hour.

Namibian Sun visited several schools in Omusati. Eengwena Primary School principal Paulus Lazarus said they were considering cancelling classes until the water subsided.

The school is surrounded by floodplains, and learners and teachers have to wade through knee-deep water to reach the school.

“Only a few learners turned up for school. Others could not cross the plains as the school is in the middle of big plains on both sides,” he said.

“Pre-primary learners are heavily affected, as well as grade 1 learners. Fewer than 10 turned up for classes. Other classes could not go ahead because learners were wet,” he said.

He said when he left the school around 10:00 to attend a meeting at the circuit office in Okalongo, the school management decided to suspend pre-primary classes until Friday.

“I think the best option is to suspend learning for all classes for us not to risk learners and teachers. Water does not only pose an access problem, but it can also bring waterborne diseases. School management and the school board will meet again tomorrow [today],” he said.

Teachers interviewed by Namibian Sun said it took them about 20 minutes to cross the oshanas to the school.

Lazarus added that it was the first time he had experienced such flooding since he started working at the school in 2011.

Another school that is under water is the Shitambi Primary School in the Ohangwena Region.

Nampa reports that classes at the school were cancelled and the learners sent home. According to Nampa, books and stationery were damaged.

“We felt it was hazardous, especially for the young ones, so we sent them home,” said grade 1 teacher Lydia Shoovaleka.

She said officials from the Directorate of Education were at the school to assess the situation.

“We have not received any instructions about what to do yet,” Shoovaleka said.

Nampa also quoted Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi as saying that it was the first time the school had experienced such flooding. He said they suspected the flooding was caused by the new Okatana-Onhuno road, which blocks the flow of floodwater and channels it towards the school. The directorate has liaised with the relevant authorities.

“We are waiting for a response from the Roads Authority, which has promised to attend to the situation as soon as possible,” Hamatwi said.

Regional police spokespersons for the northern regions said they had not received any reports of rain-related incidents.

“It was a quiet and peaceful rainfall,” Omusati police spokesperson Warrant Officer Linekela Shikongo told Namibian Sun.

Many other schools are expected to provide a clearer picture of the situation on the ground today.





ILENI NANDJATO