A Grade 6 pupil at Khehlekile Primary School in Ekurhuleni has died, allegedly by suicide.
PHOTO: Manaure Quintero, Getty Images
- A Grade 6 boy died, allegedly by suicide.
- The Gauteng education department is probing allegations of bullying.
- The boy was found in a bathroom at his home on Monday evening.
The Gauteng education department launched an investigation into allegations of bullying after the death of a Grade 6 boy, allegedly by suicide, on Monday evening.
The boy, who was a pupil at Khehlekile Primary School in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, was found in a bathroom at his home.
It comes a month after the department raised concerns about the high incidents of suicide among pupils.
According to the department’s statistics, there have been 40 such cases in Gauteng schools since the beginning of the year.
Gauteng’s Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he was deeply saddened by the tragic incident.
Chiloane said:
The department can confirm that an internal investigation has been launched to probe allegations of bullying at school. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the pupil.
He said the department’s psycho-social support team and officials from the Gauteng social development department had provided the necessary counselling.
The department said it was also aware of a recent video which went viral on social media on Tuesday. It showed a group of pupils from President High School in Ridgeway, Johannesburg, who were allegedly bunking class.
“The matter was reported following the school receiving a concerning call from a resident in Lion Ridge Complex, stating that pupils from President High School were allegedly bunking at a house in the complex.
“In response to this report, officials from the school promptly visited the complex and, upon arrival, was informed by security personnel that Mondeor Police had already collected the pupils,” said Chiloane.
READ | Authorities on alert after two pupils from same school die by suicide, four others attempt suicide
He said the department was taking this matter seriously and had also initiated an investigation to assist the school with the necessary disciplinary hearings against all affected pupils as per the department’s policies.
“We uphold the importance of maintaining discipline and ensuring that our pupils adhere to the rules and regulations of the school. Pupils must always be wary of negative behaviour which might implicate their future. We are working diligently to address this issue and prevent such incidents from happening in the future,” Chiloane said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, you can contact:
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s (Sadag) 24-hour mental health helpline: 0800 456 789.
Sadag has a WhatsApp counselling line that operates from 09:00 to 16:00: 076 882 2775.
You can also contact the SA Federation for Mental Health on 011 781 1852 or LifeLine South Africa on 0861 322 322.