SEVERAL pupils from the Western Cape schools have not attended school this week after floods damaged schools.
Three pupils also lost their lives during floods.
Western Cape Education MEC Cape David Maynier said 249 schools were affected by floods.
He said on Tuesday, 26 September, 39 schools didn’t open their doors for kids as they suffered extensive damage due to the storm and flooding.
The number was reduced to 21 schools on Wednesday, 27 September. But many schools are still closed due to damages, and some are inaccessible due to damaged roads.
“This morning, I visited Franschhoek High School, which has been closed since the weekend’s storms. There is currently no water or electricity supply to the school, and substantial flooding to the access roads, making it impossible for 650 learners to attend school,” he said.
Maynier said infrastructure damage was reported by 150 schools out of the 249, ranging from minor leaks to major roof damage.
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He said his department is working hard to assess the damage.
The MEC said the school attendance rate has also been affected as figures gathered by the department indicate that 30,1% of pupils were not at school on Tuesday, 26 September, and 31,4% could not attend on Wednesday, 27 September.
“Our schools will implement catch-up plans to ensure that learners do not fall behind due to the school days lost this week. Schools close for the spring holidays this Friday, 29 September, which will provide some breathing room for repairs and restoration of access,” he said.
Maynier said he was devastated that some pupils died during the floods.
“We have also sadly been informed of three learners passing away over the long weekend as a result of the storm. We offer our deepest condolences to their families and have provided counselling support to their schools,” added the MEC.
