A N$497.8 million infrastructure development project aimed at addressing recurring flood disruptions at three schools in the Kabbe constituencies of the Zambezi Region is underway, with earthworks already commenced at Nakuntwe Combined School, Mpukano Primary School and Muzii Combined School.

The three schools were severely affected by seasonal flooding earlier this year when the Zambezi River reached a peak level of 6.93 metres on 25 March. The flooding, driven by heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas across Angola, 

Zambia and northern Botswana, submerged school infrastructure, forced temporary closures and disrupted teaching and learning, affecting close to 400 learners. 

Under the development plan, Nakuntwe Combined School was earmarked for relocation to Luhonono, while Muzii Combined School and Mpukano Primary School were earmarked for relocation to Lusese. 

Education director for the Zambezi Region, Alex Sikume, stated, "So this project comes to alleviate that suffering so that school will continue even when the floods have covered the areas. We are uplifting the areas, and part of that uplifting includes the construction of classrooms, teachers' accommodation, laboratories and ablution facilities at all the sites. We are looking at transforming all three of these schools into government hostel facilities so that learners can be accommodated at the sites."

Sikume says earthworks at Nakuntwe and Mpukano commenced in August, with the two projects expected to take 24 months to complete. Works at Muzii, which commenced in September, are expected to take 36 months. 

He has appealed to parents and surrounding communities to cooperate with contractors to ensure the smooth implementation and timely completion of the developments.