North West Pupil Dies After Being Made To Run for Missing Class

• A grade 10 pupil lost his life in the North West after he collapsed from running in school as punishment for not being on time
• The pupil reportedly collapsed and was rushed to a nearby clinic by a teacher after the ambulance was delayed
• The North West Department of Education condemned the incident and launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death

Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues, including health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa, during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

VRYBURG, NORTH WEST — The North West Department of Education condemned the death of a high school boy who died after she was forced to run for being late on 8 August 2025.

According to TimesLIVE, the incident happened after the Grade 10 learner from Huhudi Secondary School in Vryburg arrived at school late. She was forced to run as punishment for his lateness and allegedly collapsed. The school called the ambulance, but because it was delayed, a teacher transported her to the nearest clinic.

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Educational activist condemns the incident

Education activist Hendrick Makanet condemned the incident and said that it highlighted a serious failure in the school system. He said that schools have no right to enforce discriminatory practices that endanger a child's health or dignity. Makaneta called for an investigation into the incident. This was after the department said that disciplinary actions would be taken after the post-mortem was conducted.

What did the department say?

The department cautioned schools against using physical activity as a consequence of misbehavior. The department's spokesperson, Mphatha Molokwane, said that schools must prioritise positive behavior management.

Learners who died in 2025

One learner from Mahikeng was killed on 11 April 2025 after he and his friend allegedly ate snacks that they bought from a street hawker. The incident happened in Mahikeng, and one of the children survived after he was rushed to the ICU. The parents of the deceased child demanded that he government take responsibility for the school not reporting the incident earlier.

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A tragic minibus incident killed one pupil and injured 10 others in KwaZulu-Natal on 24 July. The txi they were in rolled down an embankment near Ndwedwe. The mured children were rushed to the Montobella District Hospital.

What do South Africans say?

Netizens commented on Facebook and shared a great view of the Earth.

Mlungisi Nkwanyana said:

"No one died from just running unless there were underlying issues which might have been triggered by running."

Zingcanga Ziyamkhonkhotha Lasibeleka said:

"A lawsuit is on its way to the department of education."

Blend and Bite said:

"Parents must always inform the schools about their children's death issues if there are any."

Pretoria school learners given counseling after death of learner

In a related article, Briefly News reported that learners from Lesedi Secondary School in Lethabong, Tsheane, received counselling after a grade 11 learner was stabbed to death. The incident occurred on June 17, 2025.

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The learner was stabbed in full view of his fellow pupils. He was stabbed three times.

Source: Briefly News