Two learners, in Grades 10 and 9 committed suicide in Gauteng on Monday. The children’s deaths have highlighted the importance of ensuring the emotional well-being of school children.

Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, says he is saddened by the suicide reports.

According to the Gauteng Department of Education, one of the incidents occurred at Soshanguve Secure Centre, where a Grade 10 boy was discovered hanging in a dormitory during lunch.

It is reported that the boy was taken to the juvenile centre about two weeks ago and was awaiting trial.

In a separate incident, a Grade 9 learner from Kgetsi Ya Tsie Secondary School in Pretoria tragically took his own life at home on the same day.

“These incidents serve as a grim reminder that the emotional well-being of learners is a shared responsibility that requires immediate attention from all of us.

“As we mourn the loss of young lives, there is a growing determination to prevent future tragedies and to foster a culture of support, compassion, and understanding within the educational community. We wish to extend our condolences to families and school communities,” says Chiloane.

In July, a matric learner committed suicide by hanging himself at his home in Sharpeville. Earlier in the same month, two schoolgirls committed suicide in one week in Johannesburg.

Get help and support here:

For immediate assistance and support, learners are encouraged to contact Childline by dialling 116. The Childline toll-free helpline is available 24 hours a day (free from all networks) and what you talk about is confidential.

However, if learners want to reveal their identity and see a counsellor, they can request one. – SAnews.gov.za