Since the beginning of 2019, Joburg South schools have lost R2 446 372
There were 262 cases of theft and vandalism reported, 187 of bullying and 107 of violence and assault,” said MEC Lesufi.
GAUTENG MEC for Education and Youth Development, Panyaza Lesufi, is extremely concerned and disappointed about the level of criminal incidents that have been reported at schools since the beginning of 2019.
“It is concerning that the department has lost a total of R121 348 663-million in about 256 schools in Gauteng. There were 262 cases of theft and vandalism reported, 187 of bullying and 107 of violence and assault,” said MEC Lesufi.
Since the beginning of 2019, Joburg South schools have lost R2 446 372-m.
The criminal incidents such as theft, burglaries, and vandalism led to the loss of valuable resources meant to enhance the delivery of quality education to learners. Unfortunately, the department’s resources are seen by some as an opportunity to feed their criminal deeds and rob the learners of their right to quality basic education.
Though there is support from the law enforcement agencies, the department is of the belief that more can still be done, and the law enforcement agencies must bring education to the centre of their security analysis, security and risk. This will allow the department to focus on its main mandate.
“We would like to appeal to members of the community to take ownership of their schools and declare war against criminals who are targeting schools. Learners must always focus on their education and avoid ill-discipline,” Lesufi concluded.
Safety at schools
Besides theft and vandalism at schools, safety is a major concern. Just recently the South has witnessed the violent deaths of two learners. When the COURIER asked the department about the plan to curb violence and bullying in schools, Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona said:
“The Gauteng Department of Education has several programmes aimed at curbing issues of crime and violence, including the Bottom 20 schools identified through the MEC programme.
“The department has linked all Public Ordinary Schools with their respective local police stations and a policeman/woman assigned to them respectively.
“We have identified learners who are suspected to be involved in gangsterism, drugs, bullying, alcohol and dangerous weapons.”
He explained that the department is taking these learners for:
• Prison visits.
• Through the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) project, the department is training educators and other relevant stakeholders on bullying and how to curb it in schools.
• We also conduct unannounced/random searches and seizures at suspected schools.
• Winter and spring camps for behavioural change programmes are conducted.
• Psychosocial support programmes for traumatised learners.
• Deployment of armed and unarmed security guards at identified high schools.
He also stated that through their partnership with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, they have reinforced security collaboration where SAPS, metros, private security and patrollers will work at curbing death of learners outside school premises but it is also a societal responsibility.
“The police, metros and patrollers will patrol at identified high schools for the purpose of ensuring law enforcement visibility so as to maintain the curbing of gang activities surrounding the schools,” Mabona said.
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