The North West Department of Education has moved to accelerate repairs at schools damaged by severe winds, saying 60 schools across the province sustained damage when strong gusts swept through on 5 September 2026.
Firm timelines, new oversight planned
Dr Desbo Mohono, the provincial MEC for education, announced stepped-up engagements with infrastructure teams and contractors as the department seeks to reduce delays in delivering safe classrooms. She said contractors who do not meet agreed timeframes will face consequences up to termination of their contracts.
"Contractors are taking far too long to complete schools. Going forward, I will terminate the contracts of contractors who fail to complete projects within the agreed timelines,"
Mohono said the department will establish a developers forum to track construction progress and improve coordination between the Departmental Infrastructure Units and service providers. She told officials that emergency works and repairs caused by the storms must be completed by the end of October 2026.
How projects are being organised
To streamline delivery, the department has grouped infrastructure work into three categories. These categories will guide oversight and prioritisation of resources.
- Management of contractors: ongoing storm damage and routine maintenance.
- New and replacement projects: full construction where schools are being replaced or newly built.
- Storm and emergency damage projects: immediate repairs arising from extreme weather events.
Mohono said engagements with contractor teams have focused on identifying bottlenecks affecting progress and ensuring that money allocated for work is used appropriately. She warned that the department would act decisively if poor workmanship is found, including having defective work demolished and redone.
Accountability and employment concerns
In her remarks the MEC also raised concerns about single contractors being awarded multiple projects at a time when job creation is a pressing need in the province. She urged officials to ensure procurement processes support wider participation and warned against any conduct that would amount to corrupt payment demands.
Her comments signalled a dual focus: improving the pace and quality of school infrastructure delivery while protecting employment opportunities for local contractors and labourers.
Practical implications for learners and schools
With a deadline set for the end of October, schools that have suffered damage will be monitored closely. The department’s push to conclude emergency work aims to limit disruption to teaching and learning ahead of the end of the school year.
Parents, governing bodies and educators will be able to expect regular reports on progress from the department once the developers forum is operational. The department has not published a detailed schedule of work per school in the announcement.
| Project category | Purpose | Target completion |
|---|---|---|
| Management of contractors | Storm damage repair and maintenance | End of October 2026 |
| New and replacement projects | Building new schools and replacements | Ongoing (monitored) |
| Storm & emergency projects | Immediate repairs after extreme weather | End of October 2026 |
The department’s declaration of a strict timeline and the establishment of a monitoring forum seek to reassure communities affected by the storms. It also places pressure on municipal infrastructure units and contractors to deliver without compromising workmanship or transparency.
How quickly the promised measures translate into rebuilt classrooms and safe learning environments will depend on the capacity of contractors, the pace of procurement adjustments, and the effectiveness of the newly proposed oversight mechanisms.
For now, the department’s firm stance signals that the province intends to hold contractors to account while trying to protect both learners’ right to safe school facilities and local employment opportunities.
