Hundreds of pupils in the Overberg region have been missing classes since the heavy rains that flooded parts of the Cape.
|||Cape Town - Hundreds of pupils in the Overberg district are missing classes after the weekend’s storm.
At Roodewal Primary in Worcester every classroom was flooded, which meant the school’s 900-plus pupils were unable to attend. Lemoenpoort Primary and Bo-Doornrivier Primary, in the Robertson district, were closed because the only access was across a swiftly flowing river.
But no matric exams were disrupted, said Bronagh Casey, spokeswoman for Education MEC Donald Grant.
Where floods or flood damage prevented candidates from getting to their exam venues, the department either arranged for an alternative venue or worked with emergency services to provide access.
Casey said flooding was also reported at the Sao Bras Secondary School exam centre in Mossel Bay, but it had been cleaned up on Monday before exams started.
“There are a number of schools in the Overberg district that have no or limited access due to flooding rivers.”
Of Roodewal, Casey said: “The school is not officially closed - educators are present - but learning cannot take place.”
Principal Andre van der Merwe said the school flooded each year, but this year had been the worst.
“During the weekend all classes, which accommodate 923 pupils, were flooded. Around 30cm of water was measured against the school walls. We are assessing the damage and mop-up operations have begun,” said Van der Merwe.
The admin block and assembly hall of Hottentots Holland High School in Somerset West was under water while Montagu High School’s roof was leaking.
Nine other schools in the Overberg district were affected either by high absenteeism due to transportation issues or flooding damage at school.
Cape Argus