Western Cape Weather | Western Cape Education Department (2024)

Public ordinary and special schools in all districts are open on Monday 15 July 2024.

Individual schools who have been granted permission by the Head of Department for closure, due to weather related risks, will communicate directly to parents/caregivers.

Public and Special School closures for Friday, 12 July 2024

Media Release: Schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg education districts will remain closed tomorrow, 12 July 2024

• Only schools in the Overberg and Cape Winelands Education Districts will be officially closed on 12 July 2024.
• All schools in the other education districts are to re-open, unless approval has been granted by the Head of Department to remain closed. This will be communicated to parents separately.
• All schools are expected to be open on Monday, 15 July 2024

Public and Special School closures for 11 July 2024

Media Release: Schools in Cape Town metro districts, Cape Winelands and Overberg districts, and parts of West Coast district will be closed on 11 July 2024

• All Metro South, Metro Central, Metro North and Metro East Education District schools.
• All Cape Winelands Education District schools.
• All Overberg Education District schools.
• Circuit 1 and 2 schools in the West Coast Education District as follows:

All remaining schools in West Coast District and the Eden and Central Karoo District will be open.

All schools are expected to open on 12 July 2024.

Update on weather conditions and its effect on schools in the Western Cape

Statement by Bronagh Hammond
Director Communication

9 July 2024

The Western Cape Education Department welcomes its learners, staff and teachers back to school today.

It was a wet and cold start to the school term with teaching and learning resuming at the majority of our schools, barring five schools, which were officially closed. The schools were closed as a result of either flooding, inaccessibility to access routes and damage to the school building.

In total, 82 schools have reported damages to schools. The majority of cases are minor, with 31 cases regarded as more serious. This includes schools where roof sheeting was blown off.

The WCED infrastructure sub-directorate has been assessing the damages and prioritizing repair work based on immediate risks and needs. Repair work has already begun on some projects. We appreciate the efforts of the teams especially under the continuous wet weather conditions.

Schools have cordoned off areas that are affected and are making alternative arrangements where required.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is having continuous engagements with the South African Weather Services and Provincial Disaster Management Committee. Schools will continue to remain open tomorrow, 10 July 2024. Individual requests for closure will be considered on a case by case basis.

We again appeal to communities to discontinue spreading false information. Yesterday, there were a number of posts on social media that indicated that all schools were closed, which was false. Parents are to please address any queries with their schools directly, or visit the WCED media page for updates.

Schools are open for the start of the third term - 9 July 2024

Statement by Bronagh Hammond
Director Communication

8 July 2024

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) looks forward to welcoming back learners tomorrow, Tuesday 9 July 2024, for the start of the third school term.

The WCED has consulted with the South African Weather Services and Provincial Disaster Management Committee and can confirm that all schools are to officially open. Requests for closure, due to inaccessibility of roads, may be considered for individual schools pending damages incurred overnight by heavy rainfall.

29 schools have reported damages as a result of heavy winds and rainfall. The majority of the reports are leaks in roofs or minor flooding. Three schools have reported more serious damages after roof sheets were blown off with strong wind gusts in the West Coast region. The WCED is assessing these damages and are in contact with the schools to determine their needs and arrangements for continued teaching and learning.

While the weather conditions will improve for the reopening of schools, particularly the wind conditions, it is envisaged that it will still be a dark and wet start to the school term. Rain coats, umbrellas and reflective gear is encouraged, and even possible change of clothes. Parents and learners are to please exercise caution on the roads.

The cape winter is certainly back, with many more wet days that we can expect to embrace in the school term.

The WCED will continue to monitor the situation, in discussion with the Provincial Disaster Management Committee, and will communicate with schools if necessary. We ask that the public do not spread misinformation, and that they obtain information from official channels like the WCED and Western Cape Government and trusted media platforms.