Education remains a priority, even in rainy season

Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp has urged parents and guardians to prioritise their children's safety on their way to and from school during the rainy season while also ensuring they do not miss out on their education.During heavy rainfall, many parents keep their children – especially younger learners – at home due to stormwater-damaged roads. Yesterday, during a visit to Engoyi Combined School in the Oshikoto Region, about 10 pre-grade learners were marked absent from class. Some were likely kept home due to flooded roads, as parents fear for their safety since they usually walk to and from school alone.“You must also remember that these floods are not only happening now. Schools have experienced it, and parents have experienced it. What we need to ensure is the safety of our children, the safety of our staff, and then the compensation for any teaching time lost,” Steenkamp said yesterday. “If there are human lives at risk and if it is harmful or it becomes a safety concern, then of course there will be communication to the parents on holding children back or the closure of schools," Steenkamp added.She called on caregivers to escort younger children to school or contact the school if there are serious concerns to ensure continued learning. “So if they are older siblings, if they are guardians or parents who can accompany these children, we will be grateful. However, once a parent does not feel comfortable, there must be communication with the school, and they will have to make up for lost teaching time,” she said.Communicating is keyAccording to Steenkamp, while every regional council is expected to have a contingency plan in place, parents and guardians should also take responsibility for ensuring their children get to school safely and do not miss lessons.She confirmed that a letter was recently sent to all regional education directors, requesting information about the situation on the ground.“The ministry from head office, we provide support, we provide guidance and we have also delegated, as per the Education Act 3 of 2020, certain powers to the regional director," she explained. “So the regional director, once they see – because they have immediate access to information within their schools in a timely fashion through their inspectors and through their school principals – they then will determine and advise.”“So it's more our planning sections that are in contact with the other planners. However, we must understand the dynamic now: when something happens at a particular school, there's immediate decision-making. That kicks in when lives are in danger or at risk.”Steenkamp applauded parents who ensure their children get to school, saying it shows commitment.kenya@nmh-hub.com.na

Education remains a priority, even in rainy season

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-28

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Education remains a priority, even in rainy season

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-28

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