Rundu Town Council is recommending that Japhet Haiyambo Primary School and Hompa Sophia Junior Primary School temporarily close their doors while the lingering issues of sewage blockage and nonfunctional ablution facilities for learners are sorted.

According to a letter seen by the nbc News team, the schools have been faced with this problem for a year now.

A follow-up inspection was conducted on the 20th of January this year by the Rundu town council's Public and Environmental Health Office, from the inspection that was done on 22 July 2024.

The investigations found that toilet facilities are in a state of disrepair and dilapidated, leading to learners defecating behind the toilet blocks or on the floors of the school ablution facilities.

The plumbing system too is entirely nonfunctional, and there is no running water in any of the learners' ablution facilities.

Hompa Sophia Junior Primary School houses 1507 learners, and Japhet Haiyambo Senior Primary School has 1659 learners.

They ask that efforts be made urgently to eliminate sewage backflows to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Regular follow-up inspections will be conducted to monitor progress and ensure compliance.

Despite the matter being reported to the regional office, no action has been taken since 2024; the school resorted to releasing learners at 10 o'clock since school resumed.

Contacted for comment Director of the Education Kavango East Region Christine Shilima says the directorate has sent an inspection team to assess the matter.

Upon arrival at school this morning, the learners were given letters stating there is no school for them until further notice; the learners were released at nine o'clock.