The North West Department of Education has confirmed that 60 schools across the province have so far sustained damage following the strong and destructive winds that swept through parts of the province between 4 and 5 September 2026. The Department continues to assess the extent of the damage, which includes damaged roofs and the destruction of mobile classrooms and other school infrastructure.
The latest assessment comes at a particularly difficult time for the Department, which is already responding to the devastating impact of recent school fires. The storm damage has placed additional pressure on the Department’s infrastructure programme and its efforts to ensure that schools provide safe and conducive environments for teaching and learning.
The Department is, however, putting measures in place to ensure that teaching and learning continues at all affected schools, while repair work is being expedited.
The Department will work towards ensuring that all affected schools are repaired by the commencement of the fourth term, subject to the extent and nature of the damage at each school.
In cases where classrooms or mobile classrooms have been completely destroyed and cannot be used, affected learners will be accommodated at nearby schools to ensure that they continue attending classes while the necessary interventions are being implemented. Where schools remain operational but have limited classroom space as a result of the storm damage, the Department will implement platooning arrangements to ensure that learners continue with their academic programmes.
Under the platooning system, available classrooms will be shared by dividing learners into separate time shifts. One group may attend classes during the morning session, for example from 07:45 to 12:00, while another group uses the same classrooms during an afternoon session, from approximately 13:00 to 16:15.
These arrangements will be determined according to the specific circumstances of each affected school and will be closely monitored by school management, district officials and the Department.
Importantly, Grade 12 learners will also be accommodated through these interventions to ensure that their preparation for the National Senior Certificate examinations is not compromised. The Department recognises the critical stage of the academic year and will prioritise the continuity of learning for all Grade 12 learners in affected schools.
The MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono, has expressed concern over the extensive damage caused by the severe storms and reassured school communities that the Department remains committed to restoring affected schools and minimising disruption to learning.
“We are deeply concerned by the extent of the damage caused by these destructive winds, particularly because our Department is already dealing with the impact of recent school fires. However, our focus now is on finding practical solutions that will ensure that our learners do not lose valuable teaching and learning time.
“We are working towards ensuring that all affected schools are repaired by the beginning of the fourth term. Where classrooms have been completely destroyed, we will make arrangements for learners to be accommodated at nearby schools. Where space is limited, platooning will be implemented to ensure that learners continue with their academic programmes.
“I want to particularly assure our Grade 12 learners, educators and parents that we understand the importance of this period in the academic calendar. Their learning programme must continue, and we will put the necessary measures in place to support them as they prepare for their final examinations,” highlighted MEC Dr Mohono.
The Department is working with relevant stakeholders, including infrastructure and disaster management teams, to assess the damage, prioritise urgent interventions and accelerate the repair process. Nwdoe will continue to monitor all affected schools and provide updates as further assessments are concluded and interventions are implemented.
The North West Department of Education remains committed to ensuring that no learner is left behind as a result of the storm damage and that every effort is made to restore safe and functional learning environments across the province.
For more information, please contact:
Ms Mercy Mokgatle | Media Liaison Officer (MLO) | Cell: 060 980 7934
Dr Elias Malindi | Head of Communication | Cell: 072 115 4855 / 072 892 8399
