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Inside Education Reporter
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has been saddened by the death of a pupil in a tragic bus accident on 1 February where the Grade 6 learner from Modiselle Primary School in Ga-Rankuwa tragically lost his life because of the scholar transport.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday afternoon as learners were being transported home after school. It is alleged that the learner fell from the scholar bus and the rear wheels went over him, resulting in him losing his life. The police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.
The Gauteng Department of Education Psycho-Social Support Team visited the scene of the incident and subsequently the learner’s family.
Chiloane sent his condolences to the family and called on the scholar transport drivers to be vigilant in doing their work.
“Indeed, this is terribly saddening news. Scholar Transport is an initiative that forms part of our critical interventions to alleviate pressure from parents. As such, we expect our learners to be safely transported from home to school and back home. We call upon drivers to be extra vigilant of learner’s safety. We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the family and the school community,” said MEC Chiloane.
This was the second high-profile incident in the new school term involving Gauteng schools.
Last Monday Chiloane visited Laerskool Queenswood to introduce Nchupetsang Inc Attorneys, which has been appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Grade 7 learner Latoya Temilton alleged to have died in a drowning incident.
Meshack Nchupetsang, head of the attorney, outlined the terms of reference that will lead the investigation. At the forefront is consulting and interviewing all relevant stakeholders involved, he said.
These include learners, teachers, the principal, School Governing Body members, the School Management Team and the family.
The law firm will also visit Wag ‘n Bietjie Resort in Witkoppen, the venue of the excursion, to interview personnel there, inspect the scene, and review CCTV footage. More so, the law firm will interact with police to review post mortem results, and interact with the family of the learner, particularly on allegations that have been circulating publicly.
The firm is scheduled to complete their investigation in 7 days, after which the recommendations provided from their findings will be strictly implemented by the department.
“The MEC was unable to present the law firm to the family as they are still away in Mpumalanga following funeral proceedings. However, the department will facilitate necessary engagements between the family and the law firm as they are integral to this investigation, and need to be afforded the respect they deserve in this matter.
“The school has assured their full cooperation in this investigation, which is crucial to determine allegations and circumstances surrounding this incident. As the department, we wish to prevent incidents of this nature from occurring in the future,” said MEC Chiloane
“We are devastated by this tragic loss. We convey our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and school community at large. We are hopeful an independent investigation into this incident will assist to determine what exactly occurred,” said MEC Chiloane.
INSIDE EDUCATION
