KATIMA MULILO – The acting education director of Zambezi Jost Kawana says the region is ready to open schools tomorrow for the beginning of the new academic year. 

In an interview, Kawana said the directorate has put measures in place for the safe return of leaners to school.
“We are prepared, and our teachers are already in school. We are very fortunate that we benefited from the Covid-19 funds which were given to the regions. As a result we have constructed ablution facilities in schools which didn’t have, and all of them have been completed,” said Kawana.

He said the directorate is well equipped to follow all the Covid-19 health guidelines, like the wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing. 
He added that the N$3.8 million Covid-19 relief the directorate received will be distributed fairly among the 107 schools in the region, to see that no one is left behind.

The acting director further stated that of the 107 schools in the region most of them have safe drinking water and only about 15 rely on water delivery in tanks from the rural water supply directorate. 

Sources informed this reporter that teachers at Impalila Combined School had not returned to school due to the lack of water.
Asked for clarity, Kawana said the school has running water but the only challenge is that the cable used to pump water from the river had been stolen on several occasions. 

“The cable was stolen, and this is not the first time, which is why there is no water. However, the situation is being attended to and we expect to have water before the re-opening of the school,” he assured.
In order to ensure that social distancing is adhered to, Kawana said overcrowded schools will use the platoon system, while in some instances learners will rotate days to attend school. He further called on teachers to work very hard amidst challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.