Over 132 schools damaged by Cape storm, over 270,000 pupils affected by closures - WCED

CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said that over 270,000 pupils were affected by the school closure on Monday.

Learners and teachers in the Overberg, Helderberg, and Cape Winelands Districts could stay home as a safety precaution after a massive storm hit the province on Sunday night.

Schools in the Overberg and the Cape Winelands areas will remain closed on Tuesday.

Schools in the Helderberg District will open their doors on Tuesday following the closure on Monday.

According to the provincial education department, over 132 schools were damaged by the inclement weather.

The education MEC, David Maynier, said the decision to keep schools closed was based on an advisory from the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

"Schools outside of these districts that request closure due to severe infrastructure damage or inaccessibility. This will be considered by the department on a case-by-case basis through the normal procedures for requesting school closure. Schools with the necessary permission to close will communicate directly with parents."

The department said that daily updates would be issued throughout the week on school closures and the progress with repairs.