Nine Schools closed due to poor sanitation

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 14:25:58 +0000

By JACKSON MAPAPAYI

NINE schools in Solwezi have been closed a few days after opening due to poor sanitation.

Government directed recently that all schools with poor sanitary conditions be closed to prevent further outbreak of cholera.

And a quick survey by the Daily Nation found that Solwezi Urban, Kikombe, Rodwell Mwepu, Solwezi Technical and Mushitala secondary schools had been closed as water had been disconnected at the schools.

Other schools that have been closed include Makole Community School, Solwezi Valley, Solwezi College of Education and St Charles Primary schools respectively.

Solwezi District Commissioner Rosemary Kamalonga confirmed the development in a statement made available to the Daily Nation yesterday.

The closure of the schools follows an inspection conducted by a combined team of officers from the Ministry of Health, the council and security wings.

She said management at the said schools have been advised to work on the sanitation before they are reopened.

She said some schools have done extremely well in terms of sanitation but wondered why those that have been found wanting could not their houses in order.

“Yes, I can confirm that there are nine schools in the district which have been closed due to poor sanitation,’’ Ms Kamalonga said.

She said the process is on-going and no stone will be left unturned.

And Kanyihampa Day Secondary School in Mwinilunga district has been closed by public health inspectors due to poor sanitary conditions.

District Education Board Secretary Michael Masumba who confirmed the development in an interview with the Daily Nation in Mwinilunga said the learning institution which runs from early childhood to Grade 11 shares the same infrastructure following the upgrading of the school by government last year.

Mr Masumba said the health Inspectors closed the school which is located within the central business district yesterday citing poor sanitary conditions not conducive for the learners adding that the school only has five flushable toilets and five pit latrines to cater for over 2500 pupils.

“Yes I can confirm that health authorities have closed down Kanyihampa Secondary due to unsanitary conditions,’’ he said.

He said filthy school surroundings due to the practice of open defecation by the pupils due to inadequate toilets and lack of hand washing facilities outside the latrines are some of the other reasons the learning institution has been shut down.