By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation has warned learners against making fires on school premises in an attempt to keep warm, as cold and wet weather conditions continued to sweep through Gauteng on Tuesday.
Lebogang Maile said that open fires posed a serious safety risk and could result in burns, structural fires, damage to school infrastructure, and potentially life-threatening incidents.
He also urged parents, guardians, educators, and school communities to take necessary precautions against the cold conditions.
The Gauteng Department of Education said some of the coldest conditions this week were expected across Johannesburg and surrounding areas, including Soweto, Roodepoort, Randburg, and other parts of the West Rand.
The department said cold conditions were also expected across Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, while parts of Sedibeng and the Vaal were expected to experience cool to cold conditions.
It said rain, cloud cover and wind could make temperatures feel considerably colder in affected areas.
It said it would continue monitoring South African Weather Service (SAWS) information and urged school communities to similarly pay attention to official weather updates.
Maile told parents and guardians to ensure that learners were appropriately dressed before leaving home for school.
“Schools must exercise reasonable consideration where learners need additional warm clothing because of the weather. Our priority is to keep learners safe, warm, and in the classroom,” he added.
He said that the cold weather should not unnecessarily interrupt teaching and learning.
He said that learners who are healthy and not sick are encouraged to attend school as normal, unless the department or relevant authorities officially communicate otherwise.
“Cold weather on its own should not keep our children away from school,” he said.
“As long as learners are not sick and it is safe for them to travel, we encourage them to dress warmly and attend school. Every school day and every hour of teaching and learning matters.”
“Learners must never start fires in classrooms, toilets, corridors, school grounds, or anywhere within school premises,” he said.
“Principals, educators, and School Governing Bodies must remain vigilant and ensure that learners keep warm through safe and responsible means.”
He also said parents and learners were urged to exercise additional caution while travelling to and from school, particularly during rainfall, reduced visibility, slippery roads or other hazardous conditions.
INSIDE EDUCATION
