A Grade 7 learner at a Macassar primary school narrowly escapes injury when a gate collapses, prompting urgent calls for improved infrastructure maintenance in Western Cape schools.
Cape Town - A Grade 7 learner at a Macassar primary school narrowly escaped serious injury when a gate collapsed on him, prompting calls for urgent infrastructure maintenance at Western Cape schools.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Millicent Merton, said the incident took place on January 23 while the learner was advised by security not to attempt to open the gate.
“A security officer reportedly instructed a 13-year old learner to move away from the gate,” Merton said.
“The learner allegedly did not adhere to the instruction and tried to open the gate, which then fell on him.
“The school contacted emergency medical services and the learner’s parents immediately while he was assisted by the school’s health and safety team.
“The learner was taken to hospital via ambulance and was discharged.
“He is reportedly doing well and recovering at home. “The gate has since been fixed.”
Macassar activist, Christiaan Stewart, said the incident highlighted the need for infrastructure to be maintained at schools.
“The safety and well-being of students should always be the top priority,” he said.
“The fact that a large gate fell on a learner during school hours is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about the maintenance and safety protocols in place. The key issues are negligence, the incident suggests a lack of proper maintenance and safety checks, which is a clear case of negligence.
“Accountability, those responsible for maintaining the school’s infrastructure and ensuring student safety must be held accountable for the injury.
Steward called for an immediate investigation to determine what had happened, for a safety audit at the school, and to identify areas which needed maintenance.
This is the second incident at a school in which a learner needed medical treatment.
Last week, a Grade 1 learner was left injured after he jumped from the first floor of his school because had been locked inside a classroom at De Heide Primary School in Bredasdorp.
It is understood the child was hiding inside the classroom when the teacher locked the door.
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