Recent storms and floods in KwaZulu-Natal have caused significant damage to school infrastructure, with 59 schools in 9 of the 12 districts affected, according to MEC Mbali Frazer on Sunday.
The province has been grappling with severe weather conditions in several areas, resulting in the loss of 43 lives, with some individuals still missing.
The storm that swept through KZN last night also caused extensive damage to Eskom’s networks, leaving several areas without electricity. The most affected regions include Pietermaritzburg, Margate, Kokstad, Newcastle, Ladysmith, Stanger, Zululand, and Empangeni.
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The KZN Department of Education has taken immediate action to address the situation and ensure that affected schools can resume operations as soon as possible. Interim measures, including mobile classrooms, mobile ablution facilities, and the dislodging of existing ablution facilities, have been put in place to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
“The ultimate responsibility of the department is to ensure the provision of an environment that is conducive for teaching and learning,” said Frazer. “Given all the measures and interventions stated above, the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal is ready and prepared for the beginning of the 2024 academic year.”
The department has also made arrangements to ensure the continuation of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) when schools reopen.
“The 1,747 appointed service providers, who are currently in their second year of contract, are ready to start the supply and delivery of food items to schools from tomorrow, Monday, 15 January 2024. This will ensure that all schools are able to provide meals to the pupils on their first day of school,” the department stated.
To avoid a repeat of the food delivery challenges experienced in some areas at the beginning of the second term last year, the department is working closely with service providers to ensure sufficient supplies for all 11 feeding days in January.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga visited the province last year to assess the state of readiness in the implementation of the feeding program, and the national government has allocated R9.279 billion of its R31.8 billion budget to the NSNP for the 2023/24 financial year.
The National School Nutrition Programme plays a crucial role in providing meals to approximately 9.6 million children across the country daily. Ensuring the smooth functioning of the program is vital for the well-being and educational development of these children.
While the recent floods and storms have caused significant damage and disruption, the KZN Department of Education is taking proactive measures to address the situation and minimize the impact on students and their education.
By providing temporary facilities and ensuring the continuation of essential programs like the National School Nutrition Programme, the department is working towards creating a conducive learning environment for all students.
As the affected schools prepare to welcome students back on Wednesday, the community and relevant stakeholders must support the recovery efforts and contribute towards rebuilding the damaged infrastructure.
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