Rundu: Water shortages at Gabriel Muhuli Combined School in the Rundu Rural Constituency have led to learners having to be dismissed early, with classes often ending at 11h00 instead of the usual 13h00. The decision to dismiss learners early was implemented by the school management last Wednesday as the school could not keep learners on the premises without adequate water and sanitation facilities.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Gabriel Muhuli Combined School's Felix Tangeni confirmed the decision, saying they recently purchased a pipe that would be connected to the school's borehole by the Ministry of Works and Transport. Tangeni stated, 'I called them today and they told me they would try to repair the borehole today.'

A teacher who requested anonymity shared that the water crisis has disrupted learning throughout the year, with similar early dismissals recorded in February, affecting both learners and teachers. The problem began after two old water tanks collapsed in 2023, leaving the school struggling to maintain a reliable water supply.

Community members operating a nearby garden have been assisting the school with water. However, the water is drawn directly from the Kavango River and is not treated, raising health concerns for both learners and staff. Consequently, the school stopped using the river water due to these concerns.

The lack of water has also worsened sanitation conditions at the school, with learners reportedly relieving themselves behind a corrugated iron sheet on the school grounds due to inadequate ablution facilities. Kavango East Chief Education Officer Asser Kandere stated that the school submitted a letter last week to inform education authorities about the water crisis. The matter has been referred to the Directorate of Education's planning department for attention.