Maile warns Gauteng schools to brace for bitter cold snap
According to Gauteng Weather, the worst of the cold snap in the province is expected on Tuesday.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has warned parents, pupils and schools to prepare for a severe cold snap with icy winds, rain, and freezing temperatures. The province is expected to experience cloudy and cold weather, with scattered showers, thundershowers and light snowfall in the south. The worst of the cold snap is anticipated on Tuesday, with temperatures at multi-year lows and snow likely in some areas.
Johannesburg is forecast to reach a minimum of 1°C and a high of 4°C, while Vereeniging will be freezing at 0°C with a high of 5°C, and Pretoria will see a minimum of 3°C and a high of 7°C.
Maile emphasized that schools must take extra precautions to ensure pupils are warm and safe, advising children to wear warm clothing such as school jerseys, jackets, and other appropriate attire. The department urged parents and guardians, especially in areas expected to experience the coldest conditions, to ensure their children are properly dressed and kept warm.
The department also instructed healthy pupils to attend school as usual, unless otherwise communicated by the department or relevant authorities. Cold weather should not be a reason for children to miss school. However, Maile cautioned against making fires on school premises for warmth, as open fires pose significant safety risks, including burns, structural fires, damage to infrastructure, and potentially life-threatening incidents.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
