Lahja Nashuuta

After initially ignoring the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture directive to set aside Friday as a school holiday, some private schools have since decided to toe the line.

The government directive was issued by the ministry’s executive director Sanet Steenkamp as part of the preparations for the late president Hage Geingob’s memorial service and State funeral.

The ministry of education’s directive follows the memorial and funeral arrangement announcement by the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus on Tuesday.

Theofelus confirmed that the national memorial service will be held on Saturday at the Independence Stadium whereas the State funeral will be held on Sunday at Heroes’ Acre.

The members of the public have been invited to line up along the soon-to-be-announced city routes, to view the casket of the late president with great honour and respect.

Steenkamp urged the principals and teachers to prepare the learners to partake in the official parade on Friday, when the Namibian Defence Force is expected to lead a military procession with the remains of the late president across the capital city, allowing the public to pay their respects on the exact routes which will be announced tomorrow afternoon.

However, Steenkamp’s school holiday announcement did not sit well with some private schools who cited the destruction of the school calendar and line up assessments activities as some of the reasons why they felt Friday should be a regular school day.

On the note seen by New Era, The Windhoek Gymnasium   executive head Colette Rieckert   instructed the teachers and learners that Friday will be a normal school day.  

“Dear parents please take note that Friday will be a normal school day at Windhoek Gymnasium school,” the note reads.

Rieckert said, “I wish to make it clear to our school community and public that our decision yesterday to continue to have a school day on Friday was based on the following: We have limited contact sessions between learners and teachers, and we value the academic time spent every school day.

We are entering the period of achievement tests of which the results form part of our learners’ marks for the year. Therefore, the school prioritises our academic year now,” she said.

Through a statement issued by the school yesterday afternoon, Rieckert said, “I have been contacted by the executive director of the ministry requesting me to abide by the declaration that declared Friday as a school holiday for our school too. In fact, all private schools are requested to do so.

“Hence, out of our respect, Friday will now be a school holiday for our school community too. The school will be closing on Thursday at the school normal hours and will commence on 27 February,” Rieckert explained.

The St George’s Diocesan School also indicated that it will continue with its regular activities for the rest of the week, including extramural activities and aftercare until Thursday afternoon. 

However, Friday will be a school holiday. 

“The college will select 15 students to take part in the official procession on Friday, and more details will be shared soon,” reads the letter.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister has declared Friday as a half day for all civil servants.  All government offices, ministries and agencies businesses will end at 10h00 to allow public servants to participate in the ceremonial route procession and to give the opportunity to those wishing to travel to Windhoek to attend the memorial and funeral services of the statesman.

Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) cautioned the public to be vigilant during the funeral of the late president.

MVA urged all motorists and road users to exercise utmost caution, patience, and vigilance during this time.

“We appeal to all motorists to adhere to speed limits, avoid reckless driving and exercise patience on the roads, especially amidst heightened traffic,” Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, CEO
says.

Martin-Hausiku therefore urged pedestrians to be equally vigilant and cautious, using designated pedestrian crossings and pathways wherever available.

-lnashuuta2gmail.com