Ladysmith school set to re-open
WINDSOR Secondary School, situated in the low-lying area that had been recently flooded in Ladysmith, has confirmed that the school will be ready tomorrow to receive its matric class of 2022 and other pupils.
Principal Navindra Rampath told the Sunday Tribune that they would re-open, taking caution following the aftermath of the recent floods.
“Although a lot of material has been damaged, there has also been a lot of damage to the infrastructure. We have done some mop-up operations, and by Monday, we should be ready to receive our matric class of 2022 and other learners,” said Rampath.
The school was among the most affected in the town and could not reopen for pupils on Wednesday, the start of the school year.
Rampath said the staff had been hosted by neighbouring schools, where they held meetings and planned for the year ahead from January 17.
Parents were disappointed by the news but accepted the situation.
Parent Lindiwe Sithebe, whose son Lethokuhle Zwane will be in Grade 12 at Windsor Secondary School this year, said she feared further flooding and was worried about how it would affect her son’s education.
“I am a bit relieved that my son is going back to school. I am a bit worried since it might rain heavily again, and they would eventually have to stop going to school. That’s not ideal for a matric pupil, and I am even considering other school options, if available, where he would finish-off his matric without being affected by floods,” said Sithebe.
Another parent, Ficeni Maduna, whose daughter Wandiswa Maduna will be attending Grade 1 at ML Sultan Primary School, said she was also fearful but was confident that the school would not put children’s lives at risk.