South Sudan has closed all schools for two weeks because of a dangerous heatwave that’s making students faint. This is only the second time they have done this during February and March.
Deputy Education Minister Martin Tako Moi shared that about 12 students collapse every day in the capital, Juba. Many schools in the country are made of iron sheets and don’t have air conditioning to cool them down.
Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos warned everyone to stay inside and drink water as temperatures may reach 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). She suggested that government workers change their schedules to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Education workers are asking the government to change the school calendar. They think schools should close in February and open again in April when it gets cooler. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, a dean at the University of Juba, said the school schedule should fit the local weather conditions.
A group called Integrity South Sudan criticized the government, saying it shows poor planning to close schools during such hot weather. The country’s health system is weak because of ongoing political issues, and around 400,000 people died between 2013 and 2018 due to conflict.
Elections that were supposed to happen last year have been delayed for two years because of a lack of money. South Sudan is also facing economic problems, partly because a major oil pipeline from Sudan was damaged but has since been repaired.
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