The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Education has taken proactive measures in light of anticipated heavy rains in the days following the Easter weekend.
As a precautionary step, the department has issued a flood directive to schools across the province, aimed at safeguarding students, staff, and families from potential flooding dangers.
Despite there being no formal reports of flooding or damage to schools at this time, the department felt it imperative to prepare school principals, pupils, and staff for possible adverse weather conditions. Heavy rainfall can often obstruct access to schools, particularly in rural areas, creating an urgent need for clear guidelines to ensure safety and communication among all stakeholders.
The issued guidelines emphasize the collective responsibility of principals, teachers, office employees, pupils, and parents in responding to weather-related threats. Critical to these guidelines is the message that individuals should refrain from leaving their homes or school premises unless it is deemed safe to do so.
Principals and circuit managers have been entrusted with leading safety initiatives within their schools.
They are urged to:
Ensure effective communication with parents regarding weather conditions before children are sent to school each morning.
Advise pupils from affected weather-hit communities to remain at home if conditions are deemed unfavourable.
Retain pupils at school if weather deteriorates during the day, until it is safe for them to leave.
According to reports from the Citizen, it is critical for principals to promptly log any incidents or damage with the department. Additionally, school managers must keep staff informed about safety precautions as updated weather reports emerge.
In the event that teaching is disrupted due to severe weather conditions, principals have been tasked with formulating catch-up plans to ensure that pupils continue to make academic progress without falling behind.
