Thirty days into the new year and already the Department of Education is going through a catastrophic phase in the history of the department.
This will be remembered for decades to come as a year where lives were lost within a short period of time.
Just two days into the school reopening on January 17, we learnt the sad news of the tragic death of Enoch Mpianzi, a Parktown Boys Grade Eight learner, while on a school orientation camp at Nyati Bush and Riverbreak Lodge.
The 13-year-old drowned after a homemade raft overturned while trying to navigate the harsh water waves at Orange River.
On Friday, another tragedy sent shock waves across the country as another school learner was discovered in bushes raped, murdered and her body burnt.
The body of 15-year-old Laticia Jansen from Graceland Education Centre in Elsburg was discovered by community members, after the learner had been reported missing by her grandmother on Wednesday.
It is alleged that the Grade Nine learner had missed her transport due to a change of time slots which were never communicated to parents.
The principals have since been suspended, which I fully support due to these incidents resulting from bad decision making by educators who had been entrusted to be responsible adults.
I personally believe that drastic measures should be implemented and that the law must take its course.
It’s no doubt that MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi has his hands full.
On January 29, news broke of three teachers from Riverlea High who instantly died in a car crash.
I wonder how the rest of the year will unfold.
I doubt I will understand the anxiety parents have to go through about the uncertainty and safety of their children at schools.
Schools were, once upon a time, the safest place on earth.
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