Twenty-six schools have reported storm damage to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) following the storm that hit the Cape over the weekend (30 - 31 August 2008).

Seven are in the greater Cape Town area, while 19 are in rural areas, stretching from Riebeeck West in the West Coast Education District to Pacaltsdorp in the southern Cape.

Most affected schools in the greater Cape Town area reported damaged roofs. Other problems included broken gutters and windows, trees that had fallen over, and power disruptions.

Schools in rural areas reported similar problems, along with leaks and flooding.

Schools in the greater Cape Town area that reported roof damage include Plantation Road Primary, Grassy Park, Liwa Primary, Nyanga, Rosebank Junior, St Paul's Primary, Wynberg, and Sentinal Intermediate, Hout Bay, who also reported exposed wiring.

A tree fell on a fence at Nobantu Primary, Gugulethu, where the storm also damaged the roof over two classrooms. Parkdene Primary, Kraaifontein, reported leaks and broken windows.

The storm damaged schools in rural areas, including Riebeeck Wes Primary, who reported a damaged roof and tress blown over the grounds. Pacaltsdorp High reported roof damage and broken window panes.

Various schools in the Cape Winelands Education District reported roof and other damage, including the PJ Olivier Art Centre, Stellenbosch, and the Pauw Gedenk Primary and Weltevrede Secondary schools in Wellington, and Montrouge VGK Primary in Tulbagh.

Six primary schools and the Eden Training Centre in the Worcester area reported broken roofs, leaks and related damage. The primary schools were Aan de Doorns , Stettyn, Lemoenpoort, Nieuwe Morgen, Siyafuneka and Riverview, where the storm blew over the school's rugby posts. Worcester Secondary reported power problems.

The storm severed the telephone connection to Eilandia Primary, Robertson, damaged a water tank and pipes at Boesmansrivier Primary, Bonnievale, and damaged mobile classrooms and toilets at H Venter Primary in Ashton.

The storm also damages mobile classrooms at Gansbaai Primary. Lukhanyo Primary in Hermanus reported leaks.

Examples of problems in urban areas included a tree that fell over and damaged the roof over classrooms at Liwa Primary in Nyanga, and damage to a section of the roof over the school hall at Rosebank Junior School.

Examples in rural areas include damage to Montrouge VGK Primary in Tulbagh where the storm blew off roof sheeting on the toilet block and kitchen and damaged gutters.

The wind damaged walls at prefabricated buildings at H Venter Primary in Ashton and severely damaged mobile classrooms at Gansbaai Primary School.

WCED officials are working with schools to ensure repairs. They are giving priority to damage where safety is an issue.