Ernst Jager pupils at risk from sewage crisis
Parents and community members at Ernst Jager Combined School in Namibia are protesting against a two-month-long sewage crisis. The overflowing toilets have created significant health risks for students, yet local education authorities have failed to resolve the issue.
Why it matters
The situation underscores critical infrastructure failures in public education and the resulting health hazards for vulnerable populations.
Parents and community members have raised alarm over blocked toilets and overflowing sewerage at Ernst Jager Combined School in the ||Kharas region, saying pupils have been exposed to health risks since May.
They say there were promised that the school’s ablution facilities would be functional before the start of the second semester. However, they say the situation remains unchanged.
When contacted for comment yesterday, acting school principal Myrtle Vries referred The Namibian to the inspector and director of education in the region.
!Garib Circuit inspector Selma Nakanyala yesterday said she could not comment because she was on sick leave.
Deputy executive director for schools and formal education Edda Bohn yesterday confirmed that the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture is aware of the matter and is addressing it through its regional directorate.
She said the ministry is awaiting further updates from the regional office.
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