The Gauteng Department of Education is reeling from two tragic incidents that struck on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. A matric exam marker lost her life after a freak accident at the Alberton marking centre, while an acting principal was shot six times in his office at Northview High School in Johannesburg. These back-to-back events have sent shockwaves through the education community, prompting the department to deploy its psychosocial support unit to assist those affected.

A Fatal Accident at the Alberton Marking Centre

The first incident occurred at the Alberton marking centre, where a 50-year-old isiXhosa National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam marker suffered a fatal injury. According to Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona, the marker tripped and hit her head on a pole while leaving the centre. She was immediately rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries later that evening.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane expressed deep sorrow over the incident, highlighting the deceased’s dedication to the education sector. “Her commitment to the education sector was invaluable, and her untimely death is a loss to all of us,” Chiloane stated. The department’s psychosocial support unit was deployed to provide emotional support to the marker’s colleagues and other examiners impacted by the tragedy.

Brazen Attack on Acting Principal at Northview High School

Just hours earlier, the acting principal of Northview High School in Johannesburg faced a violent attack. Two armed men posing as contractors seeking a tree-felling quotation entered the school premises and gained access to the principal’s office. Without warning, they opened fire, shooting him six times before fleeing the scene. The acting principal was rushed to a nearby medical facility and remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Chiloane condemned the attack as a “brazen act of violence and lawlessness” that undermines the sanctity of educational institutions. He assured the public that the department is working closely with law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the acting principal, his family, and the school community during this difficult time. We wish him a speedy recovery,” Chiloane added.

Department’s Response and Psychosocial Support

In light of these tragic events, the Gauteng Department of Education swiftly mobilized its psychosocial support unit to provide trauma counseling to affected students, teachers, and staff. This initiative is crucial in helping the school communities cope with the emotional aftermath of the two incidents.

Mabona reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of those impacted: “Our psychosocial support unit is on-site at both the Alberton marking centre and Northview High School to offer the necessary emotional and psychological assistance.”

Broader Implications and Call for Action

The two incidents underscore the growing concerns over safety in educational environments. Schools, which are meant to be safe havens for learning and development, have become targets of violence, raising alarms about the need for heightened security measures. The attack on the acting principal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting educational leaders and ensuring the safety of all individuals within school premises.

Meanwhile, the accident involving the exam marker sheds light on the need for stringent safety protocols in and around marking centres. MEC Chiloane’s statement emphasized the profound impact of these incidents on the education sector, as both the marker’s death and the attack on the principal represent significant losses to the community.

The Gauteng education community is in mourning as it grapples with the tragic loss of a dedicated exam marker and the critical injuries sustained by an acting principal. These incidents highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and support systems within the education sector. The department’s deployment of psychosocial support teams is a critical step in addressing the emotional trauma experienced by those affected.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on healing, recovery, and ensuring that such tragedies do not recur. The commitment to justice, safety, and support is now more vital than ever in upholding the integrity of Gauteng’s educational institutions.