Strong and destructive winds have damaged more than 20 schools in the North West, causing extensive damage to roofs and mobile classrooms.
According to the Department of Education, the number of damaged schools is expected to increase when schools reopen on Monday.
The extensive damage comes as the department is still reeling from the recent burning of three schools and is expected to place further pressure on the already strained departmental infrastructure.
The department’s Head of Communication, Dr Elias Malindi, says the damage has been recorded in all districts of the province.
“In the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, the affected schools are Thuto ke Matla Secondary School in Groot Marico, Setilo Secondary School in Mareetsane Village, Refentse Primary School and Serite Early Learning Centre in Ga-Khunwana Village.
“In the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, the schools affected by the storms are Pudulogo Primary School in Ikageng, Maitemogelo Secondary School in Wolmaranstad, Noordwal Primary School in Orkney and Tshedimosetso Secondary School in Jouberton, Toevlug Primary School in Ventersdorp, Sentlhaga Primary School in Wolmaranstad, Laerskool Saamtrek in Klerksdorp, Promosa Primary and Secondary School in Potchefstroom, Boitshoko Secondary School in Ikageng, Gatelapele Secondary School and Tigane Primary School in Tigane,” said Malindi.
The impact was also recorded in the Bojanala District, with affected schools including SG Ntuane Primary School in Tlhatlhaganyane, Rantlaka Primary School in Phalane, Nonceba Primary School in Welverdiend near Madikwe, and Motshabaesi Primary School in Obakeng Village near Madikwe.
“Affected schools in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District are Kokomeng Primary School in Kokomeng, Taung, Walter Letsie Secondary School in Manthe, near Taung, Raditshipi Primary School, Thapama Secondary School, Choseng Secondary School and Reabetswe Secondary School,” explained Malindi.
Meanwhile, the department’s MEC, Dr Desbo Mohono, has expressed deep concern over the damage.
“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the damage caused by these destructive winds.
“This comes at a particularly difficult time for the department, which is already responding to schools affected by recent fires.
“Our immediate priority is to assess the extent of the damage, ensure the safety of learners and educators, and put measures in place to minimise disruptions to teaching and learning,” said Mohono.
The MEC highlighted that the department is working closely with relevant stakeholders and disaster management teams to respond to the affected schools and ensure that the necessary interventions are implemented as urgently as possible.
The department said it will dispatch its infrastructure teams to assess the extent of the damage and determine alternative measures to ensure that teaching and learning are not disrupted at the affected schools.
