Namibian university moves to online classes due to Covid-19

The Namibia University of Science and Technology has suspended face-to-face classes, except for face-to-face assessments, due to rising cases of Covid-19.

RUSTENBURG, June 10 (ANA) – The Namibia University of Science and Technology has moved all of its classes online due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country, Namibian media reported on Thursday.

Daily newspaper The Namibian reported that the university said the bulk of teaching activities for the first semester have been concluded and minimal interruption to the university’s operations is expected.

Face-to-face assessments will still be conducted. According to the daily, students who tested positive for Covid-19 are entitled to request to write special assessments. They will be required to get permission from their lecturers and heads of departments and a medical certificate should be provided.

The newspaper reported on Monday that the Student Representative Council (SRC) said at the beginning of June that 82 students had tested positive for Covid-19 and students had complained that they did not feel safe gathering in big groups.

The Namibian further reported that the Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) has proposed that all schools close for the rest of June and July due to the alarming increase in Covid-19 cases among learners and teachers.

Local newspaper Informanté reported that Covid-19 related cases were increasing, with 14 more deaths reported on Wednesday.

Citing Health Minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the newspaper said that three people had died in the health district of Windhoek, five in Keetmanshoop, two in Otjiwarongo, and one each in Okakarara, Onandjokewe, Outapi and Karasburg.

Namibia has recorded 950 Covid-19-related deaths so far. At least 60,329 cases have been registered, with 52,769 recoveries.

According to a report in Informanté citing Shangula, 80,193 people in Namibia have taken the first jab of the available vaccines, but only 12,868 are fully vaccinated.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher