Allexer Namundjembo
Hardap regional education director Lawin Paulus says he is awaiting a report outlining a long-term solution to the water problem at Pioneer Secondary School in Schlip after taps at the school ran dry.
Paulus told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that a team from the Ministry of Agriculture was sent to the school to address the situation.
“I am happy to inform you that the team reconnected the water, and learners are now able to access it. The team was at the school last Friday,” Paulus said.
He said he is waiting for a detailed report on the ministry’s plan to prevent the problem from happening again.
Before the water was restored, teachers and learners had been facing serious challenges due to the lack of running water.
Hostel supervisor Ambia Severinus said both staff and learners were forced to collect water from boreholes outside the residential area.
“At present, Pioneer Secondary School has no running water. Both staff and learners are forced to fetch water from nearby boreholes located outside the residential area. There is no water available for flushing toilets at either the school or hostel facilities. As a result, learners are sometimes forced to use surrounding bushes, creating serious health, hygiene and dignity concerns,” Severinus said.
She noted that the water shortage affected daily activities such as bathing and cooking at the hostel.
Learners also had to wake up early in the morning to fetch water before school.
“As a hostel supervisor, I witness these challenges daily, and the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to manage,” Severinus said.
The Windhoek Observer understands that the matter had been reported several times to the regional education office since 2024.
Reports were submitted to the deputy director and the director, but the problem remained unresolved until the ministry team visited the school.
Community activist David Kharuchab criticised the situation and said the lack of water and sanitation raised concerns about health and safety.
“I understand a team from the Ministry of Agriculture visited the school, but as far as I have observed, nothing has been done,” he said.
Kharuchab said a school environment without an adequate water supply places learners and staff at risk and affects their wellbeing.
