Freak storm damages Utrecht Primary School

A freak storm battered the school, leaving classrooms damaged and learners without electricity for 48 days.

February 26, 2026

Anika Sanders 1 minute read

A collapsed classroom at Utrecht Primary School. The classroom is now behind a fence to secure further damages and or loss of property. The classroom was a turqoise colour. It is a very bright day, with mountains in the bachground. The sky is a deep blue. — One of the collapsed classrooms. (Photo: Newcastle Advertiser / Anika Sanders)

On December 26 and 27, Utrecht was devastated by a severe freak storm that ripped down electricity lines and tore houses apart. Among the infrastructure damaged was Utrecht Primary School.

Established in 1936, this 90-year-old school has conquered many storms, but this one got the better of it. Windows were broken, structures were removed from their foundations, and a classroom collapsed.

A 90 year old train shed at Utrecht Primary School. The paint is peeling off. The doors and windows are open. The shed is rectangular in shape. — The original, 90-year-old train shed that serves as the main classroom. (Photo: Newcastle Advertiser / Anika Sanders)

No electricity

After the freak storm, Utrecht Primary School had to soldier on with no electricity. The staff had to ask neighbouring schools for assistance with paperwork. “We are very frustrated about not having any electricity,” some of the Student Governing Body members said.

On January 1, the municipality said they would come and restore the electricity. Municipal communications officer Ayanda Mabaso confirmed that electricity was only restored on February 12, leaving the school without power for 48 days.

Damaged electricity lines from the freak storm that hit Utrecht. — The electricity lines before they were fixed. (Photo: Newcastle Advertiser / Anika Sanders)

Broken classrooms

Among other frustrations are the classrooms, or lack thereof. Utrecht Primary School is sitting with a 90-year-old railway shed as their main classroom. “Pests are crawling out from underneath the foundation and we have to repair it out of our own pockets,” a school official reiterated.

The school has requested more mobile classrooms because of enrolment increases each year. Despite numerous requests to the Department of Education, no classrooms have been delivered and more than 60 children have to be accommodated in one classroom.

Three classrooms that shifted from their foundation due to the storm. — Some of the classrooms shifted from their foundation. (Photo: Newcastle Advertiser / Anika Sanders)

A beacon of hope

As a no-fees school, with English as the mode of learning and a feeding scheme in place, Utrecht Primary School accommodates students from as far as Osizweni.

Although theft at the school has increased due to poverty in the area and the learners are adjusting to the ever-decaying infrastructure, the Student Governing Body and parents remain cautiously optimistic.

“The school and teachers are the reason the students come to school. They are a comfort amidst the harsh conditions.”

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