๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ก๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ต ๐ช๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น๐
More than 20 schools across the North West suffered damage after strong winds swept through the province between Friday and Saturday, 4โ5 September.
The North West Department of Education said roofs were damaged and mobile classrooms were destroyed at schools in the Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Bojanala and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati districts.
Among the affected schools are Thuto ke Matla Secondary School in Groot Marico, Setilo Secondary School in Mareetsane, Pudulogo Primary School in Ikageng, Maitemogelo Secondary School in Wolmaransstad, Noordwal Primary School in Orkney and Tshedimosetso Secondary School in Jouberton.
Other affected schools include SG Ntuane Primary School in Tlhatlhaganyane, Nonceba Primary School near Madikwe, Kokomeng Primary School in Taung and Walter Letsie Secondary School in Manthe.
The department said the damage comes as it is already dealing with the aftermath of fires that recently affected three schools, putting further pressure on its infrastructure resources.
Education spokesperson Dr Elias Malindi described the latest damage as โadding salt to an open woundโ.
MEC for Education Dr Desbo Mohono said the immediate priority was to assess the damage, ensure the safety of learners and educators, and minimise disruptions to teaching and learning.
The department said its infrastructure teams would be deployed to assess the affected schools and identify alternative measures to keep teaching and learning going.
It added that the number of affected schools could increase as principals submit further reports on the damage.