A Soweto high school pupil hanged herself in Emndeni on Thursday after discovering she failed matric, Johannesburg police said.
The girl was found hanging in the storeroom of her house and a newspaper with matric results was lying on the floor, Captain Fezile Malesa said. She was a pupil at Thomas Mofolo High School.
“There was no suicide note, but we believe she committed suicide after finding out that she failed her matric.
“A newspaper was found in the room and on her we found a cellphone which had a message telling her she did not make it.”
The 18-year-old girl lived with her elder sister and cousin in the house in Emndeni. Police opened an inquest docket.
Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, expressed shock at the incident and conveyed her condolences to the family.
She advised parents to support unsuccessful pupils and urged them to try again.
“Parents and families must support learners who have been unsuccessful in their matric examination. It is in difficult moments like these that our children need us most as parents.
“Let us help learners to understand that poor results do not mean the end of the world. There is always an opportunity to try again and improve on your educational outcomes,” Mayende-Sibiya said.
In a statement the Education department said Gauteng Education Minister Barbara Creecy would visit the family of the victim on Friday.
“The department would like to encourage all learners to never lose hope. There are many alternatives that young people can explore, and university entrance is not the only way to a fulfilling life.
“These alternatives include writing supplementary examinations, redoing certain subjects or redoing the whole of matric. We also have Further Education and Training colleges that can provide
learners with an opportunity to study for diplomas that can, with further study, enable them to qualify with degrees.”
“During this time learners need support to deal with setbacks and disappointment, and to help them understand that there is a lot more to life.”
The department also urged parents, educators and pupils themselves to look out for signs of depression among pupils, and approach counsellors for assistance. – Sapa