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One of the pupils who was severely injured during the structural collapse at Hoërskool Driehoek on February 1 suffered a setback on Sunday, Netwerk24 reported.
According to that publication, Grade 8 pupil Cheverné Duvenhage, 13, had to be sedated and connected to a respirator after having heart palpitations. On Friday, she could reportedly breathe unassisted. Cheverné is being treated in the Netcare Union Hospital in Alberton. According to Netwerk24, she could drink water unassisted on Friday after being taken off the respirator.
According to Vaalweekblad, Cheverné fractured a hip in the incident. Her liver and stomach wall were torn and she sustained head injuries. She also suffered internal bleeding, which has since been stopped. Her life is reportedly hanging by a thread.
Altogether, 14 pupils are still recovering in hospital from various injuries.
Pupils of Hoërskool Driehoek were expected to return to school on Monday as parts of the school building have been declared safe.
With the tragedy at the school still very fresh in everyone's minds, schooling would resume slowly with reintegration efforts and counselling, the Gauteng education department said.
Memorial service to be held
Tents had been erected to temporarily accommodate pupils.
Earlier this month a concrete slab above a corridor linking two blocks of buildings came crashing down on 26 pupils at the Vanderbijlpark school.
Roydon Olckers, Jandré Steyn and Marli Currie died on the scene. A fourth pupil, Marnus Nagel, later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. The four were buried last week.
READ: Tears and hugs at Hoërskool Driehoek pupil's funeral
Education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that a memorial service for the four would be held at the Kompas Gemeente church in Vanderbijlpark at 15:00.
Pupils, parents and supporters have left T-shirts, flags, pictures and wreaths at the school fence in remembrance of the deceased.
The education department appointed a team of structural engineers to conduct an analysis of the premises before allowing pupils back.
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