The education ministry has directed all schools to postpone all events of celebratory nature including sports and athletic gatherings until further notice.
This is in light of the national mourning period for late founding president Sam Nujoma, who died on Saturday evening due to ill health.
In a directive issued on Tuesday morning, Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture executive director Sanet Steenkamp said “routine athletics and sport practices may continue at school-level only”.
She said all educational institutions, including schools, libraries and resource centres, must fly the national flag and all other flags at half-mast.
They also need to observe a moment of silence at all official meetings and gatherings.
“The portrait of the late founding president should be displayed at the main entrance of regional offices, circuit offices and schools – where feasible – and a book for condolences and candles could be placed with the portrait to allow staff, pupils and community members to express their messages of sympathy and remembrance,” the directive reads.
Furthermore, Steenkamp said schools should hold a special remembrance assembly dedicated to Nujoma’s memory, where pupils and teachers can share reflections, poems and historical insights about his role in Namibia’s development.
“Regional offices in collaboration with the regional councils should have a commemoration service for our late founding president on a date mutually agreed on at regional level,” Steenkamp said.
Steenkamp said the other processes should continue as usual including school and hostel visits or inspections, disciplinary hearings, as well as all interviews and efforts to improve educational performance.
