The North West Department of Education in South Africa is investigating the death of a Grade 10 pupil from Huhudi Secondary School, who collapsed and died last Friday after allegedly being forced to run as punishment for arriving late to class.

According to the department, an incident report indicated that the learner required urgent medical attention. With the ambulance delayed, a teacher rushed her to a nearby clinic, but she did not survive.

Department spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane, said a team of psychologists has been sent to support the family and the school community, describing the tragedy as the first of its kind in the school’s history.

Molokwane confirmed that the school principal is currently on sick leave, and any disciplinary action will be considered after postmortem results are released.

Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, condemned the incident, saying it highlighted a serious failure in the duty of care owed to learners.

“Schools should be safe spaces. Disciplinary practices that put children’s health or dignity at risk have no place in our education system. This death could have been prevented,” he said, calling for full accountability and an urgent investigation.

The Department of Education has warned teachers against using physical exercise as punishment, stressing that such practices could amount to corporal punishment and harm students’ well-being. Instead, schools are urged to adopt positive behaviour management strategies that foster both learning and healthy attitudes toward physical activity.