By Charmaine Ndlela
The number of schools damaged by severe storms in the North West has risen to 60, with the provincial Department of Education assessing the damage and putting emergency measures in place to minimise disruption to teaching and learning.
Strong winds swept through parts of the province between Friday, 4 September, and Saturday, 5 September, damaging school roofs, destroying mobile classrooms and affecting other infrastructure.
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The department initially reported damage at more than 20 schools following the storms, but further assessments and reports from affected schools have since increased the number to 60.
The latest damage comes as the department is still dealing with the aftermath of fires that recently affected three schools.
North West Education MEC Desbo Mohono said the department was concerned about the extent of the destruction but was focused on ensuring that learners did not lose valuable teaching time, particularly as the academic year enters its final term.
“We are deeply concerned by the extent of the damage caused by these destructive winds, particularly because our department is already dealing with the impact of recent school fires,” Mohono said.
“However, our focus now is on finding practical solutions that will ensure that our learners do not lose valuable teaching and learning time.”
The department said it was working towards having affected schools repaired by the beginning of the fourth term, depending on the extent and nature of the damage.
Where classrooms or mobile classrooms have been completely destroyed and cannot be used, learners will temporarily be accommodated at nearby schools while repairs are undertaken.
Schools that remain operational but have lost classroom space may introduce platooning, allowing different groups of learners to use the same classrooms during separate shifts.
Under the arrangement, one group could attend classes from 07:45 to 12:00, while another uses the classrooms from about 13:00 to 16:15.
The department said arrangements would be determined according to the circumstances at each school and monitored by school management, district officials and departmental officials.
Grade 12 learners have been prioritised as they enter a critical period of preparation for the National Senior Certificate examinations.
Mohono said the department understood the importance of ensuring that their academic programmes were not disrupted.
“I want to particularly assure our Grade 12 learners, educators and parents that we understand the importance of this period in the academic calendar. Their learning programme must continue, and we will put the necessary measures in place to support them as they prepare for their final examinations,” she said.
The department said it was working with infrastructure and disaster management teams to assess the damage, prioritise urgent interventions and accelerate repairs.
Initial assessments showed damage across all four education districts.
In the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, affected schools include 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.
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In the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, damage was reported at Pudulogo Primary School in Ikageng, Maitemogelo Secondary School in Wolmaransstad, Noordwal Primary School in Orkney, Tshedimosetso Secondary School in Jouberton, Toevlug Primary School in Ventersdorp, Sentlhaga Primary School in Wolmaransstad, 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 Township.
In the Bojanala District, affected schools include SG Ntuane Primary School in Tlhatlhaganyane Village, Rantlaka Primary School in Phalane Village, Nonceba Primary School in Welverdiend near Madikwe and Motshabaesi Primary School in Obakeng Village near Madikwe.
In the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, affected schools include Kokomeng Primary School in Kokomeng Village, Walter Letsie Secondary School in Manthe near Taung, Raditshipi Primary School, Thapama Secondary School, Choseng Secondary School and Reabetswe Secondary School.
The department said the list of affected schools could increase as assessments continue.
The damage ranges from roof damage to destroyed mobile classrooms and other infrastructure, with officials assessing each school to determine the appropriate intervention.
The department said it remained committed to ensuring that learners continued attending classes while infrastructure repairs were carried out.
It said it would continue monitoring affected schools and provide updates as further assessments were completed and interventions implemented.
