DESPITE the continuing intimidation of teachers and pupils in the conflict-ridden Johan Taolo Gaetsewe district municipality in Northern Cape, the department of education is confident more schools will open this week.

Syndey Stander, Northern Cape spokesman, said they had been getting positive feedback from the meetings they had been having with communities.

"Parents understand that if they do not open schools, their children will have to repeat a grade," he said. "It would be a disaster for the system if all pupils repeated a year.

"What you need to understand is that when we make headway in negotiations the communities also up the level of intimidation. Tomorrow we will have a clear indication of how many schools will open."

Schooling had been suspended in the Johan Taolo Gaetsewe district municipality, the province's largest district, for three months and three schools have been set on fire.

Sixty-five schools and more than 600 teachers were affected. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to visit the area on Wednesday.