Learning and teaching at over 400 schools in the Western Cape has been disrupted, while 365 schools have closed, following heavy winds and rain conditions.
Schools in the Helderberg area are opened today, 9 April 2024, while schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg are still closed. Numerous schools outside of the two areas have requested to close due to infrastructure that’s been damaged by strong winds and rain and not being able to get to the school due to bad road conditions. An additional 112 schools have reported infrastructure damages since yesterday.
According to the Western Cape Department of Education, nearly 270 000 learners have been affected by the school closures. The province’s Premier, Alan Winde, said closing the schools is more about protecting both teachers and learners from the predicted weather conditions in the two areas.
The Western Cape Education MEC, David Maynier, said he is pleased and grateful for the cooperation from teachers and principals in playing a part to make certain that learners are safe.
“Our contractors have been on site at some of the schools as early as Sunday afternoon, to prevent further damage from wind and rain,” Maynier said.
The department will communicate a way forward with schools.