Flooding disrupts school openings in Limpopo, affecting thousands of pupils
Access to schools for thousands of pupils in Limpopo is being hampered by flooded and damaged roads.
Image: Facebook/ Office of the Premier: Limpopo Provincial Government
As recovery efforts continue following extensive flooding in Limpopo, the Department of Education has reported significant disruptions to school operations across multiple districts. An ongoing assessment reveals that access challenges posed by the floodwaters have hindered the opening of numerous schools.
Following continuous assessments in the affected districts, Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson Mike Maringa reported the department’s findings:
- Flooding-related issues rendered 91 out of 305 schools in the Mopani East Education District inaccessible, preventing them from opening.
- Eighteen schools in the Mopani West Education District were unable to open due to sustained damage to access roads. However, community members are actively working to repair these routes to facilitate the safe reopening of affected schools.
- In the Vhembe East Education District, 378 of the 550 schools were accessible and operational. However, 172 schools remained inaccessible due to extensive damage that rendered the roads impassable.
- The delayed opening of schools in the Vhembe West Education District affected 164 of the 413 schools, which were inaccessible.
- Seven schools in the Sekhukhune East District were reported inaccessible following the floods.
“In some affected areas, school nutrition service providers have not yet been able to deliver meals, as roads leading to schools remain inaccessible. In addition, learner transport services may not be able to reach certain schools due to damaged roads and washed-away bridges, posing further challenges to the resumption of normal schooling,” Maringa said.
He said the department is collaborating closely with key stakeholders to expedite the restoration of access to affected schools. These partners include local municipalities, disaster management teams, traditional leadership, community structures, and service providers, all working together to fast-track interventions and address the current challenges.
“Safety of learners, educators and support staff remains the department’s highest priority. Schools that have not opened will resume operations as soon as conditions are better and access routes are declared safe,” added Maringa.
Flooded and damaged roads in Limpopo hinder access to schools, affecting thousands of pupils.
Image: Facebook/ Office of the Premier: Limpopo Provincial Government
Meanwhile, following persistent rains, the Mpumalanga Department of Education convened a meeting on Sunday. This gathering, which included district directors and circuit managers, was held to assess the on-the-ground situation after classes were temporarily suspended on Thursday and Friday due to the weather.
Schools within the Bushbuckridge local municipality and Ehlanzeni district were advised by the department to make independent decisions regarding the continuation or temporary suspension of teaching and learning, based on their specific on-the-ground circumstances.
“The safety of learners, educators, and all school personnel remains paramount,” the department said.
“Principals are therefore empowered to make informed assessments in consultation with their school governing bodies and to suspend classes where local conditions make it unsafe to proceed.”