Several public schools in the Cape closed, due to the heavy rainfall and gale-force winds

Several public schools in the Cape Winelands, Overberg, and Somerset West areas, were closed on Monday,  due to the heavy rainfall and gale-force winds.

PHOTO - WCED: Rhenish Primary School in Cape Winelands

Education MEC, David Maynier says the bad weather has caused damage to some schools. The MEC said 406 schools and nearly 270 000 learners were affected.

‘’Our learner transport routes in these areas were also not operational, affecting 392 routes that ordinarily transport over 20 000 learners to school each day. We have already received reports of damage at 132 schools, ranging from minor to serious. The total is likely to rise when staff return to school properties in the coming days.’’

Maynier says schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg will remain closed on Tuesday

‘’The second day of closure will only be applicable to the 281 schools in the Cape Winelands Education District, and the 84 schools in the Overberg Education District. Schools in the Helderberg area of Metro East Education District, will open on Tuesday, 9 April 2024.’’

‘’The Western Cape Education Department will formally communicate the decision to schools shortly,’’ he added.

PHOTO - WCED: Groenheuwel Primary School in Cape Winelands

The MEC said that there may be schools outside of these districts that request closure due to severe infrastructure damage or inaccessibility.

‘’This will be considered by the Department on a case-by-case basis through the normal procedures for requesting school closure. Schools with the necessary permission to close will communicate directly with parents,’’ said David Maynier, Western Cape Education MEC.

‘’ Updated weather predictions from the South African Weather Service have indicated a continued risk in the Cape Winelands and Overberg areas, so out of an abundance of caution, we have extended the closure to a second day for these two districts only,’’ he added.

 

Done by: Mitchum George