Kindergarten is closing due to cracks in the walls, vacation is already starting

It was a shock for the parents, they only heard the news last night. Emergency care is available until the end of the school year. Director Christophe Verleene: “It is actually about the second building that is parallel to the first building on the street side. Cracks have occurred due to the slope of the facades. They have the wrong slope and are no longer stable.”

The kindergarten department of De Graangranul in the Grauwe Zusterstraat in Wervik already showed cracks that they kept an eye on. They have recently increased. The school had this investigated and was told yesterday that the building is no longer stable. The board immediately decided to close the school.

“The communication happened late. I admit that honestly. That is also because the decision was made late at the board meeting last night. If it is not safe then we have to take our responsibility. The children and the staff come first. That’s a very tricky situation.”

The school asks to keep the toddlers at home as much as possible and that is how the school year for the 214 children is already ending. The teachers do organize emergency care in the Oosthove city hall and today there are still about 60 children there. Bercy Slegers, first alderman Wervik : “We have made a corridor for safety. We have provided refrigerators, tables, chairs. What they need in the next two weeks will be there.”

There will also be a consultation with the alderman’s college on Monday, because the children will of course have to go back to school in September.