Numerous COVID-19 cases in schools in the Oshana region are no reason to be unsettled, according to Minister of Education, Anna Nghipondoka. During a visit to the north, the minister made it clear that the high school students still had to pass the final year exams.
Local Education Minister Anna Nghipondoka visited Oshakati and Iipumbu Senior Secondary Schools in the Oshana region earlier this week to encourage high school students who are about to take their final exams. According to Nghipondoka, the examinees should not be unsettled by the high number of COVID-19 cases that have been registered in the schools. “I come to spread hope. COVID-19 won’t go away anytime soon, but we have to be optimistic, ”she said.
“I expect the pandemic will not be used as an excuse for failing the exam,” Nghipondoka further told the students. The ministry finally ensured within a reasonable time frame that the lessons could be continued and the missed material could be made up, said the minister. “Live a normal life in an abnormal situation. COVID-19 will not change your fate or your future, we expect you to pass the tests, ”said the minister. According to Ngipondoka, however, students should not think that they are doing their teachers or parents a favor by passing the exam, but are investing in their own future.
The Oshakati Senior Secondary School, which has 1,126 students, recorded its first corona infection on October 9 and now has 144 cases. The school was able to start the oral exams about two weeks ago after the procurement of the appropriate protective equipment for the teachers was completed. The Iipumbu Senior Secondary School has 1190 students and has since recorded 68 corona cases, seven of which are already considered recovered. According to its own information, the school is waiting for 71 outstanding results from samples that were previously taken.
The Oshana region’s director of education, Hileni Amukana, said that the region initially struggled to get the protective equipment for teachers to take the oral exams, but that it eventually worked. “Corona cases have so far been recorded in six schools in the region,” said Amukana. However, all schools have implemented measures whereby students who test positive for the virus or are waiting for their test result are separated from their classmates. In addition, one tries to prevent a community transmission in which the pupils remain in the vicinity of the schools. How exactly this will be enforced has not yet been announced.
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