Shambyu: Parents and community members with children at Gabriel Muhuli Combined School in the Kavango East Region have rejected temporary tents provided by the Directorate of Education, citing ongoing safety concerns. This decision was made during a consultation meeting held on Thursday with education officials, following an incident last Sunday when strong winds damaged tents being used as makeshift classrooms.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the recent damage, along with a previous incident last year where three learners were injured after water tanks collapsed on them, as well as dilapidated infrastructure, has prompted parents to keep their children at home. Learners have not attended school since Monday.

During the consultation meeting, parents insisted that their children would only return once visible and concrete efforts are made to repair the school's deteriorating infrastructure. "Tents will not stand the test of time. What's the point if the same incident that happened last Sunday happens again, or worse," said Martin Mupika, a community member.

Another community member, Mauritius Ndumba, shared similar views, stating that tents are not suitable for classrooms. "Tents are meant for weddings and funerals, not for teaching our children. We want to see real progress in fixing the school before learners return," he said.

Regional Director of Education, Christine Shilima, explained that the school was temporarily closed to address electrical issues, noting that other concerns raised by the parents are not officially considered valid reasons for keeping children out of school. She added that the directorate is working to resolve the electrical and water supply issues by Monday. "However, if the repairs are not completed by then, learners will remain at home," Shilima said.