Activists reiterate schools must be place of safety after pupil dies while being punished for being late

JOHANNESBURG - Some education activists have reiterated that schools need to be a place of safety after a learner who died after collapsing on school grounds was allegedly being punished for being late when the incident occurred.

Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, said that allegations that the grade ten learner was told to run as a form of punishment was unacceptable.

On Monday, the learner from Huhudi Secondary School, in Ganyesa, was rushed to the nearest clinic after the incident and was declared dead on arrival.

The North West department of education is investigating the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death.

"Disciplinary practices that endanger learners’ health or dignity have no place in a democratic society, which is guided by the Constitution and child protection laws," said spokesperson Mphatha Molokwane.

"This learner's death could have been prevented. We demand full accountability from the teacher involved, along with the school’s leadership and the provincial Department of Education."