Tens of thousands of learners remain at home following the Western Cape Education Department’s decision on Monday to close all schools today (Tuesday).
Severe weather conditions continue to batter the province, bringing heavy rain, flooding and widespread disruption.
Schools in the Garden Route, Central Karoo and Winelands have been closed since Monday
“A meeting was held yesterday morning, and after that meeting it was quite clear that, in terms of the advice given by disaster management, we should actually close all schools,” said Bronagh Hammond of the Western Cape Department of Education.
While early childhood development centres (ECDs) do not fall under the department, Hammond says it nonetheless offers advice to those facilities.
“They are independent institutions, but we do give advice to say that they should follow suit… and we also inform the independent schools… and then they can decide what decision to take,” she added.
Officials are hoping conditions will improve enough for learners to return to class on Wednesday, although assessments of damage to school infrastructure are still underway.
“We’ve had a few schools report quite significant damage. I don’t know if you saw Beaumont Primary; that’s probably the worst we’ve received thus far, but we believe we’re going to get more reports coming in,” Hammond said.
Video footage shows the extensive damage caused to Beaumont Primary in Somerset West.
“Luckily, the children were in the school hall at the time,” explained Hammond.
The severe weather has caused flooding, road closures and dangerous travelling conditions across the province, with emergency services remaining on high alert.
At least three people have died, and thousands of residents have been affected, with informal settlements hardest hit.
Hammond says teams will be out assessing the situation at schools today.
Sara-Jayne Makwala King
www.ewn.co.za