Authorities in Ganyesa, North West, are investigating the death of a grade 10 learner from the Huhudi Secondary School.
This after the 16-year-old collapsed after she was allegedly forced to run around the school premises as a punishment for arriving late to class.
According to the North West Department of Education preliminary reports, the learner experienced a medical emergency during school hours.
“The principal immediately notified the learner’s parents and called for an ambulance. The learner’s mother arrived at the school while awaiting emergency services, and together with a teacher, transported the learner to the nearest clinic, where she sadly passed away,” read a statement from the department.
Witnesses said the learners were allegedly found by the principal outside the classroom while waiting for a teacher to resume the lessons and were instructed to run around the schoolyard as a form of punishment.
Meanwhile, education activist Hendrick Makaneta has condemned the incident, adding that the incident highlights a serious failure to protect learners within the education system.
“Schools are meant to be safe spaces where learners can thrive. Disciplinary practices that endanger learners’ health or dignity have no place in a democratic society which is guided by the constitution and child protection laws. This learner’s death could have been prevented. We demand full accountability from the teacher involved along with the school’s leadership and the provincial Department of Education,” said Makaneta.
Meanwhile, North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi, has expressed her condolences and said the department will cooperate with relevant authorities during the investigation.
“We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of such a young life. On behalf of the Department, I extend our prayers and support to the family, friends, and school community during this painful time. The wellbeing of our learners is our utmost priority, and I urge that the school works closely with the relevant authorities to understand what happened,” expressed Motsumi.
Furthermore, Motsumi said the department has organised psychosocial support services for the family, learners and staff at the school.
