Storms batter 60 North West schools as department fights to save matric term

The North West Department of Education has confirmed that 60 schools across the province sustained damage from strong winds that swept through the region on Saturday.

The figure marks a sharp rise on the department's initial estimate of more than 20 affected schools given in the immediate aftermath of the storm, as fuller damage assessments have since been completed, Zainul Dawood reports for African News Agency.

Dr Elias Malindi, head of communications for the North West department, said Grade 12 learners would be supported through specific interventions to ensure their preparation for the National Senior Certificate examinations was not compromised.

He said the department recognised the critical stage of the academic year and would prioritise continuity of learning for all Grade 12 learners at affected schools.

Malindi said that where classrooms or mobile classrooms had been destroyed and could not be used, affected learners would be accommodated at nearby schools to ensure they continued attending classes, while further interventions were implemented.

Where schools remained operational but had limited classroom space, he said the department would introduce platoon arrangements, under which available classrooms would be shared by dividing learners into separate morning and afternoon shifts.

These arrangements would be determined according to the circumstances of each affected school and closely monitored by school management, district officials and the department.

North West Education MEC Dr Desbo Mohono said the department would work to ensure all affected schools were repaired by the start of the fourth term, subject to the extent and nature of the damage at each site.

She said the latest assessment came at a particularly difficult time for the department, which was already responding to the impact of recent school fires, adding that the storm damage had placed additional pressure on the infrastructure programme and its efforts to provide safe, conducive teaching and learning environments.

Mohono said the department's focus was on finding practical solutions to ensure learners did not lose valuable teaching and learning time, and gave particular assurance to Grade 12 learners, educators and parents that their learning programme would continue, with the necessary measures put in place to support their preparation for the final examinations.

The department said it was working with infrastructure and disaster management stakeholders to assess the damage, prioritise urgent interventions and accelerate repairs. Mohono said the damage included destroyed roofs as well as the destruction of mobile classrooms and other school infrastructure.

On Saturday, 5 September, the South African Weather Service issued an orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms in the Northern Cape, North West and Free State.