BIZANA: Parents of the six students who received severe burns after a teacher gave them chores at Maqongwana Secondary School, Bizana were left shaken by the ordeal that occurred last Thursday.
Citizens and parents shared their concerns over a hideous occurrence as six children, whose names are held to protect their identities caught burns at school, this came after a teacher told the pupils of grade eight and nine to clean up a classroom that would hold exams for the school’s matric learners. At least two learners have already been discharged after being treated for minor injuries at Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Memorial Hospital, another two still kept for observation while the last two has been sent to Mthatha General Hospital as they were still in critical conditions. One of the victim’s uncles, Mfumaneko Zololo shared his furious concerns over the matter, blaming the school of negligence.
“These children told us that they cleaned a classroom and later burnt up trash as they were commanded, one must question where the official employee for the job was because we send these children for education, not work. Children couldn’t have known the danger but they had hand sanitisers inside the fire pit, as history would have it, they burst straight towards the children, hence the unbearable sight of the kids.”
Pondoland Times contacted Mbongeni Chagi, a member of the school’s governing body and shed some light to the matter. While talking to the paper, Chagi expressed discontentment over the negligence, asking the question everybody else does which is of the whereabouts of the cleaning employee at the time.
For now, I have been contacted by the headmaster who gave me their side of the story, I am not very much sure about it but I’ve called a meeting for this coming Friday, it will include the SGB and SMT. The performance of the duties by those children was utterly illegal and I asked the principal but everything will be clear after the meeting as I cannot say much now without proof. I am aware that they were given this task by someone, the question is why that is, the school does have an employed cleaner.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima confirmed this shocking incident which occurred on the 15, October 2024 and assured that the victims and their family have been set for for psychological support by the department.
“The department will afford the learners an opportunity to write their exams during these trying times after being discharged. In the meantime, the department will pay their visit to those still hospitalized for moral support.”
