Petauke Boarding High school to remain closed

Petauke Boarding High school to remain closed

Petauke, May 9, ZANIS ——Petauke Boarding High School in Petauke district of Eastern province shall remain closed as the schools re-open on Monday next week due to poor sanitation at the institution.

According to the closure order of Petauke Boarding School issued by the Magistrate Court on 11^th April 2013, the school shall remain closed until the minimum health standards recommended by the court and the health Inspectors are met.

Among the noted causes for closure of the school were that there is no water supply for flushing and cleaning the water closets at the boys and girls ablution blocks, dilapidated ablution blocks, open defecation by pupils and poor drainage systems from ablution blocks.

These sanitation issues are a clear violation of the public health Act cap 295 and food and drugs Act cap 303 of the laws of Zambia.

The closure notice further warns and cautions the school authorities not to carry out any operations apart from those of abetting the nuisances.

Meanwhile, commemorations of the Labour Day were held at the Petauke Boarding High School against the court order.

Authorities in the Ministry of Education at the district could not give their position on the matter.

And during the epidemic preparedness meeting held at Petauke District Health Office today, a further warning has been issued that should there be any proof that social gatherings are taking place within the prohibited Petauke Boarding High School, the school authority will face court prosecution.

The Magistrate Court in Petauke closed Petauke Boarding High School early last month to pave way for rehabilitation and maintenance of the facilities that posed a health hazard in the school which were found to be a serious public nuisance against the laws of Zambia.