Nearly two dozen schools remained closed yesterday after hundreds were damaged during heavy storms in the Western Cape over the weekend.
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According to the provincial education department, a total of 249 schools suffered significant damage, having a significant impact on learners returning after the Heritage Day weekend.
Thirty-nine schools were closed on Tuesday, and this was reduced to 21 schools yesterday, with the vast majority as a result of access roads to schools being blocked.
Yesterday, Education MEC David Maynier visited Franschhoek High School, which has been closed since the weekend’s storms, to assess the damage.
There is currently no water or electricity supply to the school and substantial flooding on the access roads, making it impossible for 650 learners to attend school.
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‘While other schools are open, many have reported low attendance as learners struggle to reach schools in flood-damaged areas,’ he explained. ‘Preliminary attendance figures indicate that 30.1% of our learners were not able to attend school on Tuesday, and 31.4% were not able to attend on Wednesday.’
‘Our officials are working with schools to ensure that all can reopen as soon as possible, and we encourage parents to keep in contact with their school for updates regarding closures.’
Maynier added that catch-up plans would be implemented to ensure that learners do not fall behind as a result of the school days lost this week.
Schools close for the spring holidays this Friday, 29 September, which will provide some breathing room for repairs and restoration of access.
‘Infrastructure damages were reported by 150 schools out of the 249, ranging from minor leaks to major roof damage, and we are working to assess these damages at present.’
‘We have also sadly been informed of three learners passing away over the long weekend as a result of the storm. We offer our deepest condolences to their families, and have provided counselling support to their schools.’
‘We thank the emergency services, our government and NGO partners, and our schools for the assistance they are rendering to our teachers, learners, and parents as we recover from this devastating storm.’
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Picture: CoCT