'Schools will open' – Steenkamp

'Schools will open' – Steenkamp JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK



The education ministry is expected to amend its 2021 school calendar and will this week announce a new date for schools to reopen as Covid-19 wreaks havoc amongst Namibians.

This comes after the second wave of the virus hit the country in December.

Teaching staff and management will return to schools tomorrow to finalise timetables and get things ready for learners who are likely to return later than the envisaged date of Monday, 11 January. By yesterday, weeks after the closure of schools, Covid-19 infections were still being recorded amongst teaching staff and learners from various schools - a situation that has renewed concern about the reopening of schools for the new year. Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp, however, assured that schools will reopen this month, adding that Covid-19 regulations must be adhered to at all times. “We will soon issue a statement to indicate the specific date of reopening. We have consulted further on this date,” she said.





Experienced

According to Steenkamp, schools will be allowed to continue with the modes of education introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic last year.

“Many school principals whose staff or leaners have been infected have experience on how to deal with Covid-19,” she said.

“There will be some schools who will be in a position to have all leaners back, but there are other schools that will definitely alternate and some that will work on a double shift,” she added.

Steenkamp emphasised that staff members who are ill or exhibit any symptoms must remain at home until cleared by medical authorities.

“It will be the responsibly of the parent to make sure that all the needs of learners are met, including a face mask. Government will provide the basic needs, but stationery must be provided by the parents,” she said.

jemima@namibiansun.com