By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane expressed great sadness at the death of three children at Evaton Primary School in Sebokeng.
Chiloane said the children had fallen ill on Monday, shortly before they died.
The incident at Evaton Primary School, Sebokeng, started at 8am when a Grade 4 teacher brought a sick boy to the sick bay.
The Gauteng Department of Education said that, despite immediate assistance, the learner was unresponsive. Emergency services and the pupil’s mother were quickly called.
“In a distressing turn of events, the learner’s sibling, a Grade 3 girl learner, was also brought to the sick bay and mentioned that they had eaten pap, milk, and biscuits at home. The learner soon became unresponsive as well,” a statement from the department read.
“A third sibling, a Grade 5 girl learner, was also found to be unresponsive. All three learners were rushed to a nearby clinic, where, tragically, they were declared dead.”
The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
In a separate and “equally tragic event”, Chiloane was “deeply saddened” to have learned of the death of a Grade 8 pupil from Tsakane Secondary School in Ekurhuleni, also on Monday.
“Reports indicate that the incident took place during school hours, when two Grade 8 girl pupils allegedly ingested rat poison on the school premises. One of the pupils collapsed and had to be carried to the school’s administration block, while the other, though visibly weak, managed to walk there,” said Chiloane.
Emergency services and the pupils’ parents were immediately contacted. One of the pupils was declared dead on the school premises, while the other was rushed to a local medical facility for urgent care.
The police are investigating the incident, Chiloane said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and school communities affected by these devastating incidents. Our psychosocial support team will be dispatched to provide necessary support to everyone involved during this difficult time.”
Chiloane encouraged pupils to seek help from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) by calling their 24-hour helpline on 0800 68 78 88 if they are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, rather than turning to such tragic actions.
Elsewhere security was stepped up at the Overberg High School in Caledon after the body of a grade 10 pupil was found in a storeroom on the school grounds.
The school informed parents of Deveney’s death late on Wednesday night. “It is with sadness that we announce the death of a beloved Ovie child, Deveney Nel (grade 10),” the school stated.