Teaching and learning have been affected in several schools across the North West province following heavy torrential rains that have been pouring continuously since last weekend.The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued orange level 5 warning for disruptive rainfall over the North West, Gauteng and the northeastern parts of Free State until Thursday this week.The rains have caused flooding of roads, bridges and low-lying areas, and schools are not spared either.
The situation has prompted a call on authorities to consider closing affected schools as it poses a threat not only to learners but also to educators.Speaking on You FM Newshour MEC for Education Viola Motsumi said she heeded calls by stakeholders to temporarily suspend schooling at the affected schools.“We had a long series of meetings between me and the Acting Superintendent General of the Department Prince Masilo to put our heads together, following the reports of flooding in several schools.It has been brought to our attention that some schools are inaccessible due to the flooded roads, while in Madiba-a-Makgabane village outside Mahikeng a bridge leading to Taolelo Primary school has been wiped away by the floods.So, it becomes difficult and unsafe for learners to go to school, and so we don’t expect learners to be at school tomorrow (Wednesday),” said Motsumi.
According to the MEC, school principals have been instructed to exercise their discretion to determine if the situation is safe for pupils, conducive for teaching and learning after it was determined that the situation is dire in different schools.“We have received reports from some schools that automatically means that the school principals must communicate with the parents to inform them that pupils should stay home due to the floods until the situation has subsided. One such school is Leruntse Lesedi Secondary school at the Tswaing Local Municipality that the rain has affected its roof, with ceiling falling apart and we can’t allow pupils and educators to continue with business as usual,” explained Motsumi.
