The Namibia National Students Organisation is demanding the closure of all schools with immediate effect, saying schools have become breeding grounds of COVID-19.

In a media statement issued on Monday, Nanso said the resumption of face-to-face classes and methods of assessment at institutions of higher learning poses a threat to the lives and health of learners, students and educators.

The student body further called for teachers and school staff to be prioritised in a vaccination drive and for vaccination surveillance teams to be deployed to rural schools.

Regarding institutions of higher learning, Nanso demanded that assessment and classes be conducted online emphasising that institutions must be cognisant that they will be held responsible for the infection of students on campuses.

“We are aware that online assessments may dilute the quality of education received and delivered, however, unprecedented times require unconventional responses,” said Nanso.

It further proposed that the government cease the onsite consumption of alcohol, limit gatherings to 10 people per gathering with the exception of funerals and for restaurants to operate on a take-away basis.

Similarly, the Popular Democratic Movement Youth League (PDMYL) on Monday also called for the closure of all schools and early childhood development centres saying basic education centres have become hotspots for the spread of COVID-19.

According to PDMYL, Namibia has been categorised as a ‘Level Four High Risk’ country for COVID-19 and that with a current total of 995 COVID-19 deaths, the country is experiencing the second-highest per person death rate on the African continent after Tunisia.

PDMYL further said it is deeply disappointed that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has failed at integrating online learning at primary and secondary schools since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The growing concerns of Namibians pleading for the closure of schools come despite education minister Anna Nghipondoka maintaining that children are safer in school than they are at home. She said this while responding to questions in the National Assembly last Tuesday stating that schools have everything they need to ensure a safe environment for both learners and teachers.

Source: Namibia Press Agency