Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Education has ordered an immediate independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a Grade R learner at a Soweto school.
According to preliminary reports the 5-year-old learner was run over by the school’s lawnmower. An ambulance was called to the scene but the learner was certified dead on arrival at the hospital.
The investigation will determine how the learner happened to be in the area where grass was being cut and also whether any safety regulations or policies were breached.
A team from the department’s psychosocial unit has been dispatched to the school to provide counselling and pastoral care to the family of the deceased, as well as the community surrounding the school.
The department said it was deeply saddened by the incident.
“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family of the learner who passed away as well as to all staff and fellow learners,” said the department’s spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyane. – SAnews.gov.za
