Monday winds leave class roofless

MANZINI - As the country continues to experience the effects of climate change, a roof of a Grade VII classroom was blown off by heavy winds at Sydney Williams Primary School on Monday.

Due to this, learners had to quickly vacate the classroom.

Currently, lessons are being conducted in two spare classrooms as means for the renovation of the classroom are anticipated.

Sydney Williams Primary School Head teacher Simon Mamba said: “We were affected by the heavy winds as one Grade VII classroom had its roof blown off, together with its rafters. We are fortunate that the learners were in class but no one was injured and that the ceiling is still intact.”

Unaware

Mamba said the learners and teacher were inside and unaware that the roof had been blown off.

He said someone outside the confines of the classromm alerted them and they were advised to remove desks and chairs from inside the classroom.

Meanwhile, he said the learners were currently having lessons in a French classroom and Science lab, and that lessons were ongoing. Mamba said the matter was reported to the Manzini Regional Education Office, as well as Micro-Projects, expressing hope that they would respond promptly.

Manzini Regional Education Officer Sizwe Kunene confirmed the report of the school being affected by Monday’s weather. He said only one school had reported and that the matter was being dealt with.

The recent torrential rains have affected the country greatly, in that roads and bridges have been extensively damaged, with rivers overflowing and some schools closing. This publication reported that some schools such as Phemba Primary and Florence High School were currently closed following the overflowing of rivers and damage on bridges.

Meanwhile, it was reported that commuters were spending about E20 for services offered by community members at Mbelebeleni of being assisted with crossing the full Mbuluzi River. Vehicle owners are charged E50 or E100, ranging from the size of the vehicle for getting help in driving through the river.

(Pics: Phiwase Phungwayo). The heavy winds that came with rain on Monday afternoon blew off the roof of a Grade VII classroom at Sydney Williams Primary School.

The empty Grade VII classroom after the winds blew off the roof.

A closer view of the part which was blown off by the wind.