Gauteng Department of Education reeling from learner deaths

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has had its hands full following a number of learner deaths recently.

On Monday, three Sebokeng siblings - Tshepiso Tsotetsi, Moeketsi Mokhatla and Rethabile Mokhatla - collapsed and died at Evaton Primary School, shortly after they ate breakfast at home.

While in Tsakane, on the West Rand, a grade 8 learner died after she allegedly consumed rat poison.

In the latest tragedy, the Greenside High School's head boy Reza Saloojee drowned in the Vaal Dam while attempting to retrieve a fishing toolbox.

The GDE has conveyed its condolences to the families of the learners who have lost their lives.

It also indicated that investigations into the various incidents would be launched.

In addition to the two tragedies this week, there have been a few other incidents where school pupils have died.

Earlier this year, 13-year-old Latoya Temilton from Laerskool Queenswood, Sibusiso Sibiya and Siphamandla Peterson from Daveyton Skills School drowned in separate incidents.

In July, 10 pupils from Rocklands Primary School and one from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig lost their lives in a scholar transport crash.

Responding to a question from Eyewitness News last month on addressing learner deaths, the department said it would take a more “hands-on approach” to ensure pupils' safety.

Meanwhile, the parents of one of the learners, who drowned while on a school excursion earlier this year, said the department's plans for using independent law firms to investigate the cause and circumstances leading to the death of their children, is nothing but a knee-jerk response.