Bitter cold grips Gauteng, schools urged to stay alert
Schools remain open, but learners are being urged to stay warm, alert and safe throughout the day.
Learners, parents, guardians, educators and school communities across Gauteng, including the West Rand, are being reminded to take the necessary precautions as harsh, cold and wet weather continues to affect parts of the province on Tuesday.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, issued the reminder as cold conditions, rain, cloud cover and wind continue to affect various areas, with some of the coldest conditions expected across Johannesburg and surrounding areas, including the West Rand.
Cold conditions are also expected across Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, while parts of Sedibeng and the Vaal are experiencing cool to cold conditions. Rain, cloud cover and wind may make temperatures feel considerably colder in affected areas.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS), South Africa’s authoritative provider of weather and climate information, continues to provide official forecasts, warnings and advisories. The Gauteng Department of Education will continue monitoring SAWS information and urges school communities to similarly pay attention to official weather updates.
MEC Maile urged parents and guardians to ensure that learners are appropriately dressed before leaving home for school. Learners should wear school jerseys, jackets and other appropriate warm clothing to protect themselves against the cold.
“We appeal to parents and guardians, particularly in areas expected to experience the coldest conditions, to make sure that our children are properly dressed and kept warm. Schools must exercise reasonable consideration where learners need additional warm clothing because of the weather. Our priority is to keep learners safe, warm and in the classroom,” said MEC Maile.
MEC Maile emphasised that the cold weather should not unnecessarily interrupt teaching and learning. Learners who are healthy and not sick are encouraged to attend school as normal, unless the Department or relevant authorities officially communicate otherwise.
“Cold weather on its own should not keep our children away from school. As long as learners are not sick and it is safe for them to travel, we encourage them to dress warmly and attend school. Every school day and every hour of teaching and learning matters,” said MEC Maile.
MEC Maile has particularly cautioned learners against making fires on school premises in an attempt to keep warm. Open fires pose a serious safety risk and may result in burns, structural fires, damage to school infrastructure and potentially life-threatening incidents.
“We understand that learners may look for ways to keep warm, but making fires on school premises is extremely dangerous and must not happen. Learners must never start fires in classrooms, toilets, corridors, school grounds or anywhere within school premises. Principals, educators and School Governing Bodies must remain vigilant and ensure that learners keep warm through safe and responsible means,” said MEC Maile.
Parents and learners are further urged to exercise additional caution while travelling to and from school, particularly during rainfall, reduced visibility, slippery roads or other hazardous conditions.
“We want every learner to arrive at school safely, remain warm and protected throughout the school day, receive the education they deserve and return home safely. Let us exercise additional vigilance and look after one another during these cold conditions,” said MEC Maile.
The Gauteng Department of Education will continue monitoring forecasts, warnings and advisories issued by SAWS. Should weather conditions necessitate additional measures affecting schools, these will be communicated through official departmental channels.
How bundled up are our learners today?
Send us your photos of learners braving the cold and showing off their winter warmers to krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za.
We’d love to see how the West Rand is keeping warm!
