By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A total of 18 learners at the Umthambeka Primary School in Tembisa were injured after their classroom ceiling collapsed in class on Tuesday.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he was deeply concerned by the incident, two pupils are still receiving care at medical centres while the remaining 16 were discharged to recuperate at home.
“The cause of the incident is unknown at this stage. As such, we have launched an investigation into circumstances surrounding this incident,” Chiloane said.
“Further information will be acquired from the school management team (SMT), school governing body (SGB) and the district accordingly.”
The MEC added, that its psycho-social support team will be sent to the school on Wednesday to provide counselling to those affected.
“We are indeed concerned by the occurrence of this incident and find it unfortunate that our children were injured in such a manner at school,” Chiloane said.
“We would like to wish all affected learners a speedy recovery. Furthermore, we call upon SGB members [to] always be vigilant of challenges faced by their schools and report them to the department for necessary attention.”
Four years ago, almost to the day, 20 pupils were injured when part of a ceiling collapsed in a school in Hammanskraal.