All schools across the Western Cape will be closed on Tuesday.
Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers
Due to adverse weather conditions, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has announced the closure of all schools across the province on Tuesday.
Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier, said the closure is a result of safety concerns for learners and teaching staff.
“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, May 12, 2026,” Maynier said.
The weather service issued a Level 8 warning for disruptive rainfall over the city, as well as the mountainous regions of Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Breede Valley, Witzenberg, and the western parts of Theewaterskloof.
These conditions are expected to persist until at least Tuesday, with heavy rain potentially leading to flooding of roads, bridges, as well as formal and informal settlements. It said mudslides and fast-flowing rivers could also pose a danger to life.
Maynier said the closure includes all public and special schools in the province.
“Our default position is always to keep schools open and only close schools in exceptional circumstances, but we are mindful of the severity of the warnings in place. We will continuously monitor and evaluate the situation to ensure that schools can reopen as soon as possible, which is currently expected to be on Wednesday, May 13, 2026,” Maynier said.
By 1.30pm on Monday, the WCED has confirmed 227 schools applied for closure.
Several schools have suffered damage due to the storm. This is currently being assessed.
“Thank you to the officials, principals, teachers and parents for the support in implementing school closures. And thank you to the first responders, emergency services and disaster management officials who continue to support our schools during the severe weather conditions,” Maynier added.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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