Inspectors reacting on a tip-off, visited Ipokeng Primary School in Gelukspan, outside Mafikeng on Wednesday and were left with no choice but to shut it down, said spokesperson Page Boikanyo.

"Educators and learners were in class rooms with broken windows and had no access to toilets as they were in a bad state," he said.

"The school was declared a safety hazard to both learners and educators and after considerations and deliberations this was the only option left."

The department's provincial executive manager, Andile Makapela, said the prohibition notice would be lifted after the school was fixed and was in an acceptable condition in which learning could take place.

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