Students at three Namibian schools must attend extra classes during afternoons and evenings after missing weeks of education. Flooding forced officials to close Muzii Combined School, Nankuntwe Combined School and Mpukano Primary School last month. The 548 students lost 22 school days when waters rose and made learning impossible. Regional education director Alex Sikume ordered the temporary closures as conditions became dangerous for students and teachers. Classes resumed June 16 after flood waters began receding.
Students sleep in tents on school grounds to attend the makeup sessions. The regional council provided 150 mattresses and blankets for pupils staying overnight. Officials also delivered food packages containing rice, maize meal, cooking oil and fish. Principal Gift Samboma said many students missed the first three days because they heard about the reopening date change late. Students lack access to radios and cellphones that would have carried the announcement.
Attendance remained low early in the week as communication problems continued affecting families. Many pupils live across the border and spent their break period visiting relatives. Samboma expects all students will return as word spreads about classes restarting. The flooding happens every year and affects schools throughout the eastern part of Zambezi region. Water levels continue dropping as the flood season ends.
Students sleep in tents on school grounds to attend the makeup sessions. The regional council provided 150 mattresses and blankets for pupils staying overnight. Officials also delivered food packages containing rice, maize meal, cooking oil and fish. Principal Gift Samboma said many students missed the first three days because they heard about the reopening date change late. Students lack access to radios and cellphones that would have carried the announcement.
Attendance remained low early in the week as communication problems continued affecting families. Many pupils live across the border and spent their break period visiting relatives. Samboma expects all students will return as word spreads about classes restarting. The flooding happens every year and affects schools throughout the eastern part of Zambezi region. Water levels continue dropping as the flood season ends.
