News24 | Namakwa schools in Northern Cape to close on Monday after rain warning issued

The SA Weather Service issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rain, prompting the Northern Cape education department to close all schools in the Namakwa district on Monday.

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Schools in Namakwa, the Northern Cape, will be closed on Monday following a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rain issued by the South African Weather Service.

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Northern Cape education department spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said in a statement on Sunday night that the forecast indicated the possibility of heavy rainfall, flooding and the inaccessibility of certain roads, “which may pose significant risks to learners, educators, support staff and school communities”.

“In the interest of protecting the safety and well-being of everyone, no learner will report to school, and no exams will be written on Monday.”

The schools’ closure will also affect Grade 12 pupils who were scheduled to sit for their physical science and technical science preparatory exams on Monday.

“We wish to assure learners, parents and schools that the department has back-up exam papers in place for both subjects. The necessary arrangements will be communicated to schools once the weather situation has been assessed and it is safe to proceed with the exams.”

Van der Merwe said the department understood the importance of the Grade 12 preparatory exams and remained committed to ensuring that the disruption caused by the adverse weather conditions did not disadvantage pupils.

“Appropriate contingency measures will be implemented to ensure that the affected exam papers are written at a later date.”

He appealed to parents and guardians to keep learners at home on Monday to avoid unnecessary travel during dangerous weather conditions.

“The Namakwa district office will remain in constant communication with school principals and relevant stakeholders to monitor developments and coordinate the implementation of the contingency plan.”