Western cape: The Western Cape Education Department has announced the closure of all schools in the province on Tuesday in response to severe weather conditions affecting the region. The decision prioritizes the safety of learners and teachers amid the challenging weather situation.
According to South African Government News Agency, the closure decision followed consultations with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS). Authorities emphasized that learner and teacher safety is the main concern, prompting this precautionary measure. The closure affects all public ordinary and special schools throughout the province.
The Western Cape Education Department stated, "In the interests of learner and teacher safety, and after extensive consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a decision has been taken to close all schools in the Western Cape on Tuesday, 12 May 2026." The department further explained that the closures were recommended based on updated weather projections and current conditions from Disaster Management and SAWS.
The department highlighted that its default position is to keep schools open and only close them in exceptional circumstances, but the severity of the weather warnings necessitated this action. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely to enable schools to reopen as soon as conditions improve, with a tentative reopening date set for Wednesday, 13 May 2026.
As of 13:30 on Monday, a total of 227 schools had applied for closure, in addition to those already listed for closure in the Cape Winelands and Eden and Central Karoo districts. The department also reported that several schools have experienced storm-related damage, which is currently being assessed.
The department extended gratitude to officials, school principals, teachers, parents, first responders, emergency services, and disaster management officials for their cooperation and assistance in implementing the school closures during the severe weather conditions.
