Johannesburg – Three school children fell ill and died on Thursday and Friday in separate incidents, the Gauteng Department of Education has revealed.
Commenting on the tragic incidents, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he was “saddened by three learner deaths”.
Giving details of the deaths, MEC Chiloane said: “An eight-year-old boy learner from Ecaleni Learners with Special Needs School in Tembisa passed away on Friday, (21 October 2022), after reportedly falling unconscious in a scholar transport bus a week prior to his death.”
The school child was also bleeding from the mouth.
“The transport driver applied first aid on the learner and took him home to receive further care,” said MEC Chiloane.
“However, his condition worsened while at home and he was hospitalised on Wednesday, 16 October.”
The department was informed that the child unfortunately passed away on Friday, (21 October 2022).
In a separate incident on the same day, a Bopasenatla Secondary School Grade 10 girl died on the way home.
“According to information at our disposal, learners notified the transport driver of a learner who was vomiting and foaming from the mouth,” MEC Chiloane said.
“The driver then went off his drop-off route course to rush the learner to a nearby clinic. Unfortunately, the child was declared dead on arrival.”
Police are investigating circumstances surrounding her death.
In the third incident a Grade 10 learner Buhlebuzile Secondary learner passes away at school
Lastly, Buhlebuzile Secondary School in Thokoza reported that a grade 10 girl learner passed away at school on Thursday, 20 October 2022, after collapsing in class.
Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
MEC Chiloane has recommended that the department must appoint an independent law firm to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of the grade 10 girl learner.
“This investigation will assist the department to take decisive action accordingly,” said MEC Chiloane.
“Our psychosocial support team will be dispatched at each of these schools to provide counselling to those affected by these unfortunate incidents.
“This support will also be extended to the affected families of the deceased learners.
“We are deeply saddened to have received these reports of the passing of our learners.
“Our sincerest condolences goes out to the families of our beloved learners and the school communities for their loss.”
MEC Chiloane will visit all affected schools and families of the deceased learners on Monday.
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Three Gauteng Learners Die In Separate Incidents After Falling Ill, Cops To Probe
