The Western Cape Education Department has announced the closure of schools in several education districts on Thursday, 11 July 2024. This decision follows extensive consultations with the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Provincial Education David Maynier said the decision was made to shut schools in the best interest of learner and teacher safety.
In the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a decision has been taken to close schools in certain districts in the Western Cape tomorrow, Thursday, 11 July 2024.
Western Cape School Closures Per District
- Metro Central Education District
- Metro East Education District
- Metro-North Education District
- Metro South Education District
- Cape Winelands Education District
- Overberg Education District
- Circuit 1 and 2 of the West Coast Education District (Malmesbury and Picketberg areas)
All public ordinary and special schools in the following education districts will be closed on Thursday, 11 July 2024, as a result of the severe storm warnings for these areas
The WCED said schools in affected districts have received official notice of the closure and have been instructed to inform parents accordingly. For schools in the remaining districts, the default position is to remain open unless specific approval for closure has been granted on a case-by-case basis.
Our default position is always to keep schools open, but we are mindful of the severity of the warnings in place and the damage already caused in certain areas
To date, 20 schools, primarily in the Cape Winelands district, have been granted permission to close. Additionally, 137 schools have reported infrastructure damage due to flooding or heavy winds, with 49 cases requiring urgent attention.
Over the past few days, 137 schools have reported some form of damage to infrastructure, either as a result of flooding or heavy winds. The majority of the cases are minor, while 49 cases require our urgent attention
Minister Maynier praised the infrastructure team for their swift response to the damage reports.
I am extremely proud of our infrastructure team who are rapidly addressing the reports coming through. It is not easy in these continued extreme conditions; however, they are determined to reduce further damage and ensure structural safety.
All schools are expected to reopen on Friday, 12 July 2024, but the department will continue to monitor the weather forecasts to decide if further closures are necessary.
We will evaluate the weather prediction for the end of the week to determine whether any individual school closures are necessary on Friday
Cape Town Weather
The SAWS issued a Level 8 warning for parts of the province. This warning indicates that Capetonians along with people living in the Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipality can expect an extremely wet Thursday.
Disruptive rain leading to flooding and possible mudslides is expected over the City of Cape Town, Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipalities in the Western Cape on Thursday
Will Schools Open on Friday 12 July 2024
Schools in Cape Winelands and Overberg districts will remain closed on Friday due to safety concerns related to road damage and flooding. All other schools in Western Cape will reopen tomorrow. Schools will inform parents of any changes.
This decision is based on the interests of learner and teacher safety in the Overberg and Cape Winelands Education Districts, particularly with regard to travelling to and from schools. Extensive rainfall has caused widespread damage to roads and flooding, affecting school transport routes. A number of schools have also reported flood damage to their premises.
Parents can use the “Find my School” search finder to confirm if their school falls under these two districts: https://wcedemis.westerncape.gov.za/wced/findaschool.html
