By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has announced a plan to address pupil suicides after more than 40 suicides were reported in the province’s schools since the beginning of 2023.
Last week, an 11-year-old Grade 5 girl from Anzac Primary School in Brakpan took her own life after reportedly facing parental reprimand for theft of R300.
Chiloane was briefing the media on Sunday, while observing International Suicide Prevention Day.
“Gauteng has borne witness to several tragic and premature deaths of some learners and members of staff who took the painful decision of ending their lives. Our statistics show that there have been 40 alleged incidents of suicides in Gauteng schools since the beginning of the 2023 academic year”.
“As the Department, we are devastated by these deaths and believe those numbers constitute far too many young lives that have been taken away from their families, friends and our schools, before reaching their full potential. We pledge our solidarity and support to the families and friends that were befallen by these tragic, premature deaths”.
Chiloane says more awareness campaigns could help decrease and prevent learner suicides.
“Suicide prevention and self-harm education, increased awareness on protective factors, streamlined support systems and access to services and resources could decrease the likelihood of learner suicides in schools”.
Chiloane says the department has partnered with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, Childline and several other organisations to fight the scourge of violence in schools and learner suicide.
“We are also concerned about the incidents of violence in and around our schools driven by gangsters in some areas. Some of our schools are best characterised as warzones and learners, educators and staff members do not feel safe”.
“The Department has adopted a campaign dubbed Operation Kgutla Molao – Restore Order – to improve and sharpen existing strategies and urgently tackle safety concerns in schools that have been affected by violence and crime”.
Under the campaign, security guards will be deployed to 75 schools with high crime incidents across Gauteng.
Chiloane said 245 schools in the province had received handheld detectors to help with screening for weapons, while e-panic buttons will be distributed to more than 3 000 staff in the schools.