Learning at Shalom Primary School in Otavi, Otjozondjupa Region, came to a halt on Monday after concerned parents kept their children at home in protest over the school’s severely deteriorated toilet facilities.

Parents blocked the school gate, refusing learners entry. Tuesday marked the second day of no teaching at the school, with parents saying pupils will only return once the sanitation crisis is addressed.

“The current state of the toilets exposes learners to health risks and affects comfort and concentration in class,” said parent Max Gau‑Gaob, calling for clean, safe and functional sanitation facilities. He said the ablution blocks are broken, filthy and poorly maintained.

Head girl Claudia Albin said the toilets are unhygienic, unsafe and unfit for use. “They have been ignored, and some girls do not use them because they get infections immediately when they use the toilet,” she said. “We want our toilets to be fixed.”

Learners with disabilities are particularly affected. Anna Aebes said the conditions are uncomfortable and unsafe for disabled pupils and that some had even fallen into standing water.

Parents handed a petition to principal Salmon Naholo, alleging that some teachers have fallen ill while working under the current conditions. Protestors say they have repeatedly reported the problem to the education inspector, the director of education for the Grootfontein circuit and the Otavi town health inspector since 2023, but no permanent solution has been provided.

Principal Naholo received the petition and said plans are underway to repair the facilities. “I was informed that the tender process was done or is still under way, and by the end of this month the contractor should be here,” he said.