Strong, destructive winds that swept through parts of the North West province between 4 and 5 September have damaged roofs and destroyed mobile classrooms at more than 20 schools, the provincial Department of Education said on Monday.
Immediate safety checks and assessments under way
MEC for Education Dr Desbo Mohono said the department is “deeply concerned and saddened” by the damage and that its immediate priority is to assess the extent of the destruction, ensure the safety of learners and educators, and implement measures to minimise disruption to teaching and learning.
“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the damage caused by these destructive winds. 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,” Dr Desbo Mohono said.
Department spokesperson Dr Elias Malindi said the number of affected schools could rise as principals submit direct reports after inspections. He described the additional storm damage as compounding an already difficult situation following recent fires at three schools in the province.
Where damage has been reported
Officials said damage included blown-off roofs and destroyed mobile classrooms. The provincial list of affected schools so far includes facilities in the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts, among others. Specific schools named by the department are:
| District | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Ngaka Modiri Molema | Thuto ke Matla Secondary School | Groot Marico |
| Ngaka Modiri Molema | Setilo Secondary School | Mareetsane village |
| Ngaka Modiri Molema | Refentse Primary School | Ga-Khunwana village |
| Ngaka Modiri Molema | Serite Early Learning Centre | Ga-Khunwana village |
| Dr Kenneth Kaunda | Pudulogo Primary School | Ikageng township |
| Dr Kenneth Kaunda | Maitemogelo Secondary School | Wolmaransstad |
| Dr Kenneth Kaunda | Refentse Secondary School | Delareyville (temporary structure) |
The department warned that the list is provisional and that officials expect more reports from school principals as inspections continue.
Voices from school communities
At Refentse Secondary School in Delareyville, which relies on a temporary structure for some classes, the damage forced some learners not to attend lessons on Monday. Chairperson of the school governing body, Basiami Mosiako, described the scene and the fear among learners and parents after the storm struck late on Friday evening.
“It happened on Friday at about 19h30… The learners were scared, and even us, as parents, are scared. The school is badly damaged. The roofs were blown into the air and displaced everywhere. It was a very hurtful sight to see,” Basiami Mosiako said.
Department response and next steps
The department said it is working with disaster management teams and other stakeholders to respond urgently. Infrastructure teams have been dispatched to carry out damage assessments and to determine short-term arrangements to keep teaching and learning going where possible.
Among the immediate actions reported by the department are:
- Rapid safety inspections of damaged classrooms and school buildings;
- Deployment of infrastructure teams to quantify repairs and temporary shelter needs;
- Coordination with district officials and disaster management to source emergency materials and arrange safe learning spaces.
Dr Malindi said the extra workload from storm damage places added pressure on a department already dealing with recent fires that destroyed three schools, stretching infrastructure budgets and repair capacity.
Practical information for parents and caregivers
Parents and caregivers in affected areas are advised to check with their school governing bodies or the school principal for accurate information about class arrangements and learner safety. Where mobile classrooms have been damaged, districts are working to identify alternative venues and to provide temporary shelter where possible.
The department has not provided a timeline for repairs or for the return to full normal operations at affected schools. It urged communities to prioritise learner safety and to report any hazards to the nearest school or district office.
As more information becomes available from principals and district inspections, the department said it will update affected communities on interventions and support measures.
(Mahikeng)
