By 
JOHANNESBURG — The Gauteng Department of Education has called on school communities, parents, and guardians across the province to take urgent safety and health precautions as severe cold and wet weather conditions wrap parts of Gauteng in icy temperatures.
According to official forecasts from the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the coldest weather is expected to impact Johannesburg and surrounding areas—including Soweto, Roodepoort, and Randburg—alongside the West Rand, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane. Sedibeng and the Vaal region are likewise bracing for cool to cold spells, compounded by heavy cloud cover, rain, and wind factors that will significantly lower real-feel temperatures.
In response to the severe conditions, Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mr Lebogang Maile, issued a cautionary directive on Tuesday urging all parents and guardians to ensure that learners are sufficiently dressed in warm attire, including school jerseys and heavy jackets, prior to leaving home.
MEC Maile also appealed to school authorities to show reasonable flexibility regarding dress codes to ensure learners remain adequately protected against the freezing conditions.
“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,” MEC Maile emphasized. “Schools must exercise reasonable consideration where learners need additional warm clothing because of the weather. Our priority is to keep learners safe, warm and in the classroom.”
Despite the adverse conditions, the department stressed that teaching and learning must proceed without unnecessary interruption. Healthy learners who are not ill are encouraged to attend school as normal, provided safe travel remains possible.
“Cold weather on its own should not keep our children away from school,” Maile stated. “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.”
Zero-Tolerance on Open Fires
A central warning in the department’s advisory addressed dangerous warming practices on school grounds. MEC Maile issued a stern directive prohibiting learners from lighting open fires to keep warm, warning that such actions pose catastrophic safety hazards, including severe burn injuries, structural building fires, and potential loss of life.
“Making fires on school premises is extremely dangerous and must not happen. Learners must never start fires in classrooms, toilets, corridors, school grounds or anywhere within school premises,” Maile cautioned.
School principals, educators, and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) have been tasked with maintaining heightened vigilance and ensuring learners utilize only safe, controlled methods to stay warm.
Commuters and parents are further advised to exercise extreme caution on the roads while dropping off and picking up children, given the higher risks associated with rainfall, poor visibility, and slippery road conditions. The department confirmed it is actively tracking ongoing SAWS updates and will communicate any necessary operational adjustments through official departmental channels.
