The damage, occurring between Friday and Saturday (5/9), added further pressure on the provincial department of education, which is already responding to the destruction of three schools by fires. “The damage to schools is like adding salt to an open wound, as the department is already reeling from the pain of losing three schools to the fires,” said education spokesperson Elias Malindi.

“The department has been picking up the pieces and working to intervene at schools affected by the fires. Now, the storms have wreaked havoc on the remaining schools, adding further pressure to the already strained departmental infrastructure.”

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 township, Maitemogelo Secondary School in Wolmaranstad, Noordwal Primary School in Orkney, Tshedimosetso Secondary School in Jouberton township, 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 township.

In the Bojanala district, the 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, also near Madikwe.

Affected schools in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district are Kokomeng Primary School in Kokomeng village, Taung, Walter Letsie Secondary School in Manthe, near Taung, Raditshipi Primary School, Thapama Secondary School, Choseng Secondary School, and Reabetswe Secondary School.

Education MEC Dr Desbo Mohono expressed deep concern over the extensive damage caused by the strong winds at schools across the province.

“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.”

The department was working closely with relevant stakeholders and disaster management teams to respond to the affected schools and ensure the necessary interventions are implemented as urgently as possible.

Classrooms destroyed by severe weather conditions in North West. Photo supplied

“We understand the impact this situation has on our school communities, and we will continue doing everything within our means to support the affected schools.”

The department has dispatched its infrastructure teams to assess the extent of the damage and determine alternative measures to ensure teaching and learning are not disrupted.

The number of schools affected is expected to increase as the department receives further reports directly from school principals.

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