WALVIS BAY – Education authorities late yesterday announced that grade 11 and 12 learners at Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis will no longer resume face-to-face classes today as earlier scheduled. 

Covid-19 cases have particularly skyrocketed at Walvis Bay over the last few weeks, with more than 1 000 positive cases recorded at the harbour town.

Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp said it was decided to put the resumption of classes on hold to allow stakeholders to consult further on modalities related to the reopening. She said parents would also be afforded an opportunity to make informed decisions, as returning to school is voluntary. 

“Learning from school is also another option parents can look at but are we willing to put in an effort to make it a success?” she questioned. Steenkamp also said schools are ready and have put in all requisite measures in place. 

“It is a precarious situation and we understand the fears and concerns; hence, the ministry is trying to find common ground that will be beneficial for the learners.” 

She added there are currently 119 teachers trapped outside the three local authorities, which are currently operating under a special dispensation, compared to the rest of the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Travelling in and out of the three towns is strictly prohibited, and there is a 14-day quarantine at own cost arrangement in place. Steenkamp, however, expressed her disappointment that some schools failed to send out study material to learners as required by the ministry. 

“They should have sent explanatory audio notes if they couldn’t reach all learners; this would have eased the pressure on the current situation,” she said. 

In an earlier interview Erongo education director, Erenfriede Stephanus also agreed the return to school would be challenging under current circumstances.

 “The ones from Erongo cannot return due to restrictions, while teachers from other schools are trapped in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis. This is the same dilemma with learners as well,” she said. 

“On top of that, we are sitting with a situation where some parents have moved back to their respective towns after their lost jobs and are seeking assistance to have their children enrolled in other towns. This would not have been an issue under normal circumstances; however, Covid-19 makes it difficult, as we are required to lessen or work out different strategies for the number of children in classes.”

– edeklerk@nepc.com.na