Crime, bullying and gangsterism emerge as growing threats in Gauteng schools

Crime, bullying, gangsterism, and drug abuse pose significant dangers to learners in Gauteng schools, with communities warning that unsafe educational environments will further hinder academic progress. These concerns were revealed in Gauteng's Education MEC Lebogang Maile's post-consultation report on the province-wide "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" outreach program, which involved over 11,000 residents between May and July this year.

Parents, educators, students, faith-based groups, and community leaders raised repeated alarms about crime, violence, bullying, gang involvement, substance abuse, vandalism, weapons, intimidation, and gender-based violence affecting schools and their neighborhoods. Maile emphasized that unsafe communities directly hinder learning, stating, "Learning cannot flourish where fear dominates.

The future of the African child depends on creating environments where every learner feels physically safe, emotionally secure, and socially valued." The report suggested that residents demanded more visible police presence around schools, heightened anti-drug initiatives, better learner discipline policies, and enhanced psychosocial support services.

However, Maile stressed that law enforcement alone cannot resolve the issue, adding that parental involvement is crucial for addressing student behavior and preserving school safety. Maile cautioned that schools cannot be isolated from the social issues plaguing their surrounding communities, stating, "Schools cannot become islands surrounded by communities experiencing violence, crime, and social instability."

The province pledged to maintain collaborative efforts with the South African Police Service, Community Policing Forums, municipalities, and social service professionals to improve school safety.