Teaching set to resume at all Western Cape schools on Wednesday
Schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg education districts have been closed since Monday, as a safety precaution following a massive weekend storm in the province.
Cape Town communities severely affected by gale force winds and heavy rain are appealing for assistance from government. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Teaching and learning is set to resume at all schools in the Western Cape on Wednesday.
Schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg education districts have been closed since Monday, as a safety precaution following a massive weekend storm in the province.
READ: Torrential Western Cape weather claims one life, destroys over 26 schools
Provincial education MEC David Maynier said there may be schools that will remain closed owing to severe infrastructure damage or inaccessibility.
Maynier said this would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and schools with permission to close will communicate directly with parents.
He added that they’ve received reports of damage at 144 schools.
The list of damages includes missing roof panels, water leaks and uprooted trees.
"We thank all our officials, principals, teachers, and parents for their response to the stormy weather and for the support they continue to provide to our learners in the Western Cape."
Meanwhile, storm damage has hampered operations at the Somerset West Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC).
Officials said that very limited services would be offered at the centre, until further notice.
Traffic services spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhoudt said the centre would still be open for driving licence tests and card collections, however, telephone lines were still down.
"Management will be in contact with all learner licence and driving licence applicants that have pending tests to reschedule or facilitate refunds. The Gordon’s Bay DLTC was also affected, but to a lesser extent – it has since reopened and is providing all services."