School closures taking after climate warning

Schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg Instruction Locale, and the Helderberg bowl region in the Western Cape have been closed on Monday due to the serious storm notices for these ranges.

The choice taken after a Level 9 caution for harming winds and rain in numerous parts of the area, issued by the South African Climate Benefit (SAWS).

Western Cape Instruction MEC, David Maynier’s representative, Kerry Mauchline said the department’s default position is continuously to keep schools open but is careful of the seriousness of the notices input, counting a level 9 caution for the Overberg and southern Cape Winelands.

“We have not taken the choice to near these schools gently: we have done so out of a plenitude of caution to secure our learners and school staff. It is continuously way better to be secure than sorry.

“So distant, we have as of now gotten reports from a number of schools that have been harmed by tall winds, and our framework group is as of now evaluating the harm. The closure will be in impact as it were for Monday, 8 April 2024, at this arrange [and] the schools influenced will communicate to guardians in this regard,” Mauchline said.

Mauchline included the office may moreover near chosen schools on an advertisement hoc premise if harm to a school building requires to.

She said the office will reevaluate the climate on Monday to decide whether any closures are essential on Tuesday.