Gauteng MEC urges pupils to attend school despite cold snap

Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has urged learners to attend school as normal on 11 August 2026, despite freezing and wet conditions expected across parts of the province. Maile told parents and guardians to ensure children are dressed warmly and travel safely, and warned that cold weather alone should not disrupt teaching and learning.

Where the cold is expected to hit hardest

The provincial department said weather forecasts indicated that some of the coldest conditions would be felt across Johannesburg and surrounding areas, including Soweto, Roodepoort, Randburg and other parts of the West Rand. Cold conditions were also expected across Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, while parts of Sedibeng and the Vaal were expected to experience cool to cold conditions. The department noted that rain, cloud cover and wind may make temperatures feel considerably colder in affected areas.

Clothing, travel and safety guidance

Maile said the department would continue monitoring information from the SA Weather Service and urged school communities to pay attention to official weather updates. He appealed to parents and guardians to ensure learners are appropriately dressed before leaving for school.

“Learners should wear school jerseys, jackets and other appropriate warm clothing to protect themselves against the cold.”

“We appeal to parents and guardians, particularly in areas expected to experience the coldest conditions, to make sure that our children are properly dressed and kept warm.”

Maile said schools should show reasonable consideration where learners need additional warm clothing and reaffirmed the department’s priority to keep learners safe, warm and in the classroom.

Attendance and official guidance

According to Maile, learners who are healthy and not sick are encouraged to attend school as normal unless the department or relevant authorities officially communicate otherwise. He said:

“Cold weather on its own should not keep our children away from school. As long as learners are not sick and it is safe for them to travel, we encourage them to dress warmly and attend school. Every school day and every hour of teaching and learning matters.”

Danger of fires on school premises

Maile strongly cautioned against making fires on school grounds to keep warm, warning of serious safety risks. He said:

“Open fires pose a serious safety risk and may result in burns, structural fires, damage to school infrastructure and potentially life-threatening incidents.”

“We understand that learners may look for ways to keep warm, but making fires on school premises is extremely dangerous and must not happen.”

He added that principals, educators and School Governing Bodies must remain vigilant and ensure learners keep warm through safe and responsible means.

Travel caution and ongoing monitoring

Maile urged parents and learners to exercise additional caution while travelling to and from school during rainfall, reduced visibility, slippery roads or other hazardous conditions. He said the department would continue monitoring forecasts, warnings and advisories issued by SAWS, and that any additional measures affecting schools would be communicated through official channels if necessary.