Over 446 Zambian schools lose roofs to heavy rains, winds

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - The roofs on more than 446 schools in Zambia were torn off by heavy rains and winds in the past week as the rainy season commenced, an official told Parliament.

Education Minister Douglas Syakalima said the government, in collaboration with the disaster management and mitigation unit and councils, was coordinating the mobilization of more than 70 million kwacha ($4 million) to repair the damage and restore a conducive learning environment for children.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that poor workmanship and a lack of consistent preventive maintenance has caused this situation, which will result in a huge cost on the Treasury out of rebuilding infrastructure instead of building more,” said Syakalima.

He told lawmakers that the country had to embrace a culture of consistent maintenance to avert similar disasters.

Zambia will experience normal to above normal rainfall in a six-month rainy season, according to the metrological department.

It is a situation likely to cause perennial flooding and an outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.

Illnesses have been centered in Lusaka, which accommodates the largest chunk of the nation’s 18 million citizens and accounted for 23 of the schools whose roofs were blown off.