29 schools in Ohangwena resume classes

Shingunguma PS ‘far from reopening’
The closure of schools in the Ohangwena Region affected 15 239 learners and 494 teachers, while schools lost between two and 22 days from the academic calendar.
Tuyeimo Haidula
A total of 30 schools in the Ohangwena Region were closed due to flooding, but 29 resumed classes this week. Only Shingunguma Primary School remains under water and has not reopened. Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi yesterday said the school, which has a learner population of 377 and 11 teachers, is "far from reopening". Shingunguma closed on 17 January. The closure affected 15 239 learners and 494 teachers, and the reopened schools lost between two and 22 days from the academic calendar. "All the flood-affected schools put compensatory plans in place to make up for time lost," he said. Hamwati said some schools will teach on Saturdays until mid-term to make up for lost time. Others have opted to add two additional lessons every day until the end of the term. “Some schools will make use of the first school holiday to compensate for lessons lost,” he added. According to him, 14 of the affected schools have yet to hand in their plans to the directorate on how they will compensate. Oshana schools Meanwhile, it has been two weeks since 12 Oshana Region schools resumed classes. Senior education officer for planning and development in the region, Fenni Mwiila, said floodwater has subsided in most areas. “As a result, 1 836 learners have resumed classes.” She added that five schools - with a total of 1 283 learners - are still completely or partially closed. At this stage, the provision of educational materials to the affected learners is hampered by inaccessible roads, she said. Like in Ohangwena, Mwiila said affected schools in Oshana will have to come up with plans to make up for lost time.