The deadly floods that hit the province of KwaZulu-Natal last week, have killed 57 learners with five others still missing. One teacher and a food handler have also passed away. As the Easter holidays have come to an end, many learners in KwaZulu-Natal will not be able to return to school as the schools have been damaged by the floods.
Elijah Mhlanga, the Basic Education spokesperson said over 630 schools have been severely damaged by the floods and an amount of R400 million would be needed to repair the damage in the schools. The death toll in the KwaZulu-Natal flooding stands at 443 with 63 other people still missing.
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Mhlanga said “We have 630 schools that have been affected by the floods, 124 of them have suffered extensive damage. This means come Tuesday when schools reopen, some will not be able to open.”
“The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal wishes to inform school communities and all education stakeholders that it has temporarily closed all schools that have been affected by massive flooding of massive downpours and inflows of water that has been taking place in the last few days in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Basic Education is expected to visit schools in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday to assess the situation. Last week the Provincial Education Department said parents and teachers need to use their discretion on whether learners should return to school or not.
Source: Eyewitness News, ENCA, Inside Education, image from Eyewitness News
