Learner suicide rate highlights pressure on school children in the Eastern Cape

Lusanda Bill
19 September 2011

At least 96 school learners have committed suicide in the Eastern Cape since the beginning of this year.

This is according the provincial Education Department's biannual Learner Mortality Report.

The Department says the actual figure could be higher since they rely on reported incidents at provincial schools.

Spokesperson Loyiso Pulumani says there are several interventions in place to deal with the problem.

Education expert Alexander Pinnoch says the school system does put a lot of pressure on learners. She says however that there is never just one contributing factor