Fear as schools ‘reopen’ in Namibia

With schools officially reopening yesterday in Namibia, many poor communities fear the pandemic will exact a devastating toll on education.Hundreds of students are faced with the challenge of not having a computer, laptop, smartphones and access to internet. Families complain that the introduction of the new way of education are leaving many students behind.Xinhua joined some community members who on Saturday held a meeting in Wanaheda in the Windhoek.Bernie Pitt said her two children aged 7 and 11 have no other choice but to share a computer with other students. "Nine children will be using one computer owned by my boss. Sharing will be difficult as they will each only spend about two hours per day on the company, but it is better than nothing," Pitt said.Shawn van Rooyen is worried about the new system as he does not own a smartphone to communicate with teachers. The Namibian government has urged teachers to create communication groups on WhatsApp.PowerlessVan Rooyen is also faced with the challenge of having no access to electricity where he lives in Wanaheda."I do really fear for my children. They will be left behind while other children from rich families are learning well," Van Rooyen said.Van Rooyen further said that he has spoken to the school principal and teachers about the matter. He said they advised him to collect materials on hard copy from the school regularly."I don't have a car and we stay far from school. As a gardener, I have lost my job and can't afford to pay for taxi transportation. Things are not easy for us now. “Maybe it is the best if my children reframe from education until things go back to normal. I don't know what else to do," Van Rooyen said.Namibian schools officially commenced with distance learning, following the procedures of the guidelines of the ministry of education regarding the extension of the lockdown.Activity packagesSanet Steenkamp, executive director of the education ministry, said all schools will start with distance learning on April 20."In ensuring the public's health and safety at this time, no students will be allowed on school premises and teachers will be available online. Teaching and learning will take place in virtual classrooms via Google, Zoom, Moody and WhatsApp. “Students will receive weekly activity packages, electronically and in print. For those with no access to computers or Wi-Fi, activity packages can be collected at the respective schools every Monday," Steenkamp said.She said that teachers will be working normal teaching hours and will be reachable via voice calls, email, WhatsApp and SMS."During this time we are urging parents to adhere to social distancing when collecting the students' study materials at school," Steenkamp said. – Nampa/Xinhua

Fear as schools ‘reopen’ in Namibia

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Republikein 2026-05-15

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Fear as schools ‘reopen’ in Namibia

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