Newlands crash places learner safety in the spotlight
Teachers unions in the province say they're sadden by the deaths of three Durban learners who were struck by a minibus taxi yesterday morning.
The schoolgirls had been walking to school when the vehicle ploughed into them and dragged several metres. Three girls died instantly while a fourth pupil was seriously hurt.
The 33-year-old taxi driver is due in court this afternoon.
Thirona Moodley from the KZN National Professional Teachers' Organisation says more scholar patrol programmes need to be introduced on roads where school children are likely cross.
"Teachers are the custodians of children's rights as well as safety - in and outside of the school. We can't divorce the fact that these learners have been out of school property, that they are no longer our responsibility. As such, communities must also come together with law enforcement authorities to ensure that learners are safe while walking to school," Moodley said.
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SADTU provincial secretary Nomarashiya Ncaluza the deaths are also a loss for the girls' classmates and teachers.
"Other learners will go to their classes and find empty seats - they will know their classmate was suppose to be sitting here. Teachers will come to the classroom to teach but the picture of these three learners will always be there," she said.
