The Teddy Bear Foundation for Abused Children has urged parents to ensure that they pay attention to indemnity forms and are always fully informed on the activities that take place at their children’s schools in order to avoid unforeseen incidents from taking place.
The foundation’s Director, Dr Shaheda Omar, was reacting to the findings on Laerskool Queenswood pupil, Latoya Temilton’s death, who drowned while attending a school leadership camp at Wag n Bietjie resort in January.
On Thursday, Nchupetsang Attorneys, which was appointed by the Gauteng Education Department to investigate the circumstances of the 12-year-olds death, found contributory negligence on the part of Latoya and her parents for packing a swimming gear for the 12-year-old despite knowing she couldn’t swim.
The school’s invitation had indicated that the excursion had swimming activities.
Their investigations also found that Latoya’s mother had indicated in previous excursions that her late daughter couldn’t swim. However, the indemnity form for the excursion under scrutiny was only given to Latoya’s dad the morning of the excursion, and he did not have an opportunity to fully complete the form.
Speaking to YNews, Dr Omar says parents and guardians should talk to children about the dangers of participating in activities they know they aren’t allowed to participate in.
This conversation, she says, will require parents to talk to their children in a manner that will be easily understandable to them.
Dr Omar has also emphasised the need for parents to ensure that they know well in advance not just about school trips, but about other activities their child might participate in during various schooling terms, so that the school is also well informed of any issues well in advance.
Despite Nchupetsang Attorneys’ findings against Latoya’s parents, the school was also not exempted from its responsibility of ensuring the safety of the 12-year-old who was left in their custody.
The investigation found the swimming pool at the camp didn’t seem suitable for children as it lacked safety measures such as lifejackets and/or lifeguards.
According to some of the learners, when they arrived at the pool area, there were no educators present, nor were there lifeguards.
The law firm has recommended that the principal and educators be charged for contravening Section 32(1)(a) of the Children’s Act, which placed a duty on them to ensure the Latoya’s well-being while she was in their care.
It’s also called for them to be charged for misconduct for failing to act in accordance with their legal duty to supervise and ensure the 12-year-old’s safety.
