GDE advised to review school excursion policies following Latoya Temilton's death
The location where the 12-year-old Laerskool Queenswood pupil drowned during a school trip was in an investigation found to be unsafe.
A picture of Latoya Temilton at the Laerskool Queenswood. Picture: @EducationGP1/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has been advised to review its policies regarding school excursions following the death of 12-year-old Latoya Temilton.
The Laerskool Queenswood pupil died earlier in 2024 after drowning during a school trip.
ALSO READ:
- Latoya Temilton death: GDE to charge 4 teachers with gross negligence
- Latoya Temilton death: There was little supervision from teachers during excursion – investigation
On Thursday, a law firm appointed to look into the incident revealed its findings, showing that the location where the learners were taken was not safe.
Nchupetsang Incorporated Attorneys has advised the GDE to prioritise child safety when schools find venues to take children for excursions.
This was after the law firm's investigations revealed that the pool at the venue where Temilton drowned did not have lifejackets or lifeguards on site.
It has also been noted that the venue does not have demarcations to show where the shallow end of the pool ends and where the deeper end begins.
As part of the recommendations made by the firm, the venue, which has not been named in the report, has been instructed to improve its safety standards.
Temilton's family said they will review the report before making any decisions.