Learners at Njeza High School in Estcourt in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands have returned to school with mixed emotions.
The school is among several in the area that were damaged by recent floods. The first day of school in the province was disrupted after the provincial Education Department issued a directive for all schools to close after a level five warning for storms and rain was issued by the South African Weather Service.
Severe weather patterns in SA:
These were the sentiments of learners at Njeza High School.
“I am happy to meet new people, I have made new friends and met new teachers.”
“I was scared but when I arrived here, I became excited after meeting new friends, we have been introduced to other learners.
“I have been looking forward to doing matric however when I arrived at school, I was disappointed to find that the classrooms have not been fixed. At least we are happy that mobile classrooms have been delivered.”
Several schools damaged
Consistent and heavy rains dampened the spirits of learners and teachers in KZN. Several schools, especially in the province’s Midlands area, were already battling infrastructure damage following earlier floods.
Local education authorities say at least 59 schools were damaged.
“The head of education in KZN has issued a circular to all the schools to close early today due to weather warnings that we have received from SAWS. This, he directs so that all teachers and learners could be safe,” says Provincial Education Department spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi.
However, early on Wednesday morning and prior to the decision to close schools, learners and parents braved the rainy conditions, many still battling to secure placements for their children.
