Gauteng education saddened by suicide of two high school pupils

The department says a psycho-social unit has been dispatched to both schools to provide support and counselling.

Gauteng Education MEC Panayza Lesufi has released a statement saying he is saddened by the death of two pupils who committed suicide last week.

One of the pupils, a 17-year-old from Pahama Secondary School, is alleged to have hung herself at home after she lost her cellphone and was afraid to tell her parents.

The second incident in which a 19-year-old is said to have shot himself is under investigation.

Both pupils were in matric.

So unfortunate pic.twitter.com/6Sz6YZm8sX

— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) November 19, 2019

Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona says a psycho-social unit has been dispatched to both schools to provide support and counselling.

We have sent our psycho-social unit team to go to these schools. We work very closely with the department of social development, we also have our social workers and those that will be in a position to assist.

Steve Mabona, spokesperson - Gauteng Education Department

We just want to call upon learners, they need to understand that when you go to school...in the event you experience any challenge, assistance will be there.

Steve Mabona, spokesperson - Gauteng Education Department

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