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The North West Department of Education has been left devastated after strong and destructive winds damaged the roofs and destroyed mobile classrooms of over 20 schools between the 4th and 5th September 2026.

The damage to over 20 schools is like adding salt to an open wound, as the Department is already reeling from the pain of losing three schools to the fires. The Department has been picking up the pieces and working to intervene at schools affected by the fires. Now, the storms have wreaked havoc on the remaining schools, adding further pressure to the already strained Departmental Infrastructure.

In the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, the affected schools are Thuto ke Matla Secondary School in Groot Marico, Setilo Secondary School in Mareetsane Village, Refentse Primary School and Serite Early Learning Centre in Ga-Khunwana Village.

In the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, the schools affected by the storms are Pudulogo Primary School in Ikageng Township, Maitemogelo Secondary School in Wolmaranstad, Noordwal Primary School in Orkney and Tshedimosetso Secondary School in Jouberton Township, Toevlug Primary School in Ventersdorp, Sentlhaga Primary School in Wolmaranstad, Laerskool Saamtrek in Klerksdorp, Promosa Primary and Secondary School in Potchefstroom, Boitshoko Secondary School in Ikageng, Gatelapele Secondary School and Tigane Primary School School in Tigane Township.

In Bojanala District, the affected schools include SG Ntuane Primary School in Tlhatlhaganyane Village, Rantlaka Primary School in Phalane Village, Nonceba Primary School in Welverdiend near Madikwe and Motshabaesi Primary School in Obakeng Village near Madikwe.

Affected schools in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District re Kokomeng Primary School in Kokomeng Village, Taung, and Walter Letsie Secondary School in Manthe, near Taung, Raditshipi Primary School, Thapama Secondary School, Choseng Secondary School and Reabetswe Secondary School.

The MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono, expressed deep concern over the extensive damage caused by the strong winds at schools across the North West.

“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the damage caused by these destructive winds. This comes at a particularly difficult time for the Department, which is already responding to schools affected by recent fires. Our immediate priority is to assess the extent of the damage, ensure the safety of learners and educators, and put measures in place to minimise disruptions to teaching and learning.

“We are working closely with relevant stakeholders and disaster management teams to respond to the affected schools and ensure that the necessary interventions are implemented as urgently as possible. We understand the impact this situation has on our school communities, and we will continue doing everything within our means to support the affected schools", highlighted MEC Dr Mohono.

Since the damages occurred over the weekend, the Department will dispatch its infrastructure teams to assess the extent of the damage and determine alternative measures to ensure that teaching and learning is not disrupted at the affected schools.

The number of schools that have been damaged is bound to increase following reports that will be received directly from principals when they arrive at their respective schools tomorrow, on Monday.

Issued by North West Education and Sports Development