Urgent need for safety measures in South African schools

South African schools are grappling with a pervasive issue that extends far beyond traditional academic concerns, as violence, gangsterism, bullying, sexual violence, and criminal activity now cast a shadow over once safe learning environments. In Gauteng, violent incidents have once more highlighted the fragility of these spaces, with armed individuals entering or operating near schools and learners reporting acts of gunfire.

At Iphutheng Primary School in Alexandra, armed suspects allegedly entered the premises and fired warning shots, prompting a swift departure by students and educators. Similarly, near Waverley Girls’ High School, armed suspects fired shots during a hijacking before fleeing. The latest incident at Badirile Secondary School in Carletonville, where a stop-and-search uncovered knives, vapes, and other prohibited items, further underscores the severity of the threat.

Gauteng's Education MEC, Lebogang Maile, unequivocally condemned these acts, emphasizing that schools must remain sanctuaries of teaching and learning, free from violence, fear, or intimidation. He pledged stronger safety measures, anti-bullying initiatives, and coordinated efforts between education authorities, law enforcement, communities, and NGOs.

However, this crisis extends beyond Gauteng. In the Western Cape, a Grade 10 pupil at Bellville South High School was murdered, and a subsequent police investigation revealed a pattern of bullying, leading to the expulsion of six learners from Milnerton High School following a similar incident. The Western Cape Education Department confirmed that eight learners face charges of assault, with six adults and two juveniles standing trial.

According to Stats SA, 1,156,009 learners reported experiencing violence at school. The Democratic Alliance's Basic Education spokesperson, Desiree van der Walt, denounced these figures, stating that they represent a systemic failure to safeguard learners. Beyond the immediate physical harm, the Department of Basic Education's recent report revealed that sexual violence is rampant in schools, with 26,855 child abuse cases reported in 2024/25, including 9,857 instances of sexual abuse.

The SAPS registered 2,826 charges related to child sexual offenses, and the South African Council for Educators received 826 sexual misconduct complaints between 2021 and 2025. The South African Human Rights Commission found that only a fraction of these cases led to convictions or other punitive measures. Legal experts warn that schools and provincial departments could face costly lawsuits if repeated warnings are disregarded and learners are harmed.

Lorvica Matthews, a spokesperson for the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, stressed that schools must accept responsibility when warning signs are ignored. She emphasized that schools require clear protocols, adequate staffing, timely support, and access to mental health professionals. Matthews also pointed to the broader societal factors contributing to the bullying crisis, noting that learners often grapple with violence, crime, poverty, inequality, family conflict, and harmful social norms.

She stressed that addressing bullying requires a comprehensive approach that tackles these underlying issues, rather than focusing solely on school-related solutions.