Parliament, Sunday, 19 January 2020 – The Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports and Arts and Culture expresses its devastation on the high number of the recent incidents of tragic deaths of learners around the country.
The committee sends its condolences to the family and friends of the 13-year-old Parktown Boys High School pupil, Enoch Mpianzi, who tragically passed away during a Grade 8 orientation camp. It is believed that Enoch and some other boys were on a make-shift raft which overturned on the Crocodile River in the North West Province. Enoch’s body was found on Friday, 17 January 2020.
In another incident, a 13-year old pupil, Keamohetswe Shaun Seboko of the Magaliesburg’s Laerskool in Johannesburg drowned in the school’s swimming pool on Wednesday, 13 January 2020. The committee also sends its condolences to the Seboko family and friends of Keamohetswe.
The committee calls on the Department of Basic Education, school principals and educators to ensure that all the measures on the safety of learners at schools especially during after-school activities are strengthened.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Elleck Nchabeleng said: “Educators and facilitators must take full responsibility and must always have a watchful eye on learners, especially when they are involved in activities away from their homes. This is something we do not compromise on.”
Furthermore, the committee calls on the Department to focus its attention on the violence that is taking place in schools. The alleged stabbing of a Grade 9 learner during a schoolyard brawl at John Ramsey High School in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town is among those incidents of violence. It is believed that the learner was attacked by four boys and two of them are not learners at the school. The committee wishes him a speedy recovery.
“There have been so many incidents of tragic death of learners just in a week after schools have re-opened. While we cannot mention each and every incident, but we are aware as the committee about many of these tragic incidents where learners have lost their lives or injured,” added Mr Nchabeleng.
The committee is also aware of many challenges on learner transport, vandalism to school infrastructure and placement of learners at schools. Mr Nchabeleng calls on the Department to urgently address those challenges and to ensure that each and every learner is placed as soon as possible.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS AND ARTS AND CULTURE, MR MAMAGASE ELLECK NCHABELENG
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Felicia Lombard (Ms)
Tel: 021 403 8285
Cell: 081 548 7011
E-mail: flombard@parliament.gov.za
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