ActionSA is appalled by the persistent and systemic failures by the Gauteng Department of Education and the South African Council of Educators (SACE) to properly vet educators and ensure that those listed on the National Child Protection Register (NCPR) are barred from working with children.
These institutional shortcomings have tragically allowed individuals accused and convicted of sexual misconduct to remain in our schools. The recent court appearance of a Braamfischer Primary School teacher at the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 14 April 2025, on charges of sexual assault, is yet another harrowing example of this failure.
In the 2024/25 financial year alone, the Education Labour Relations Council recorded 111 cases of teacher misconduct involving sexual abuse – a 35.4% increase from the previous year’s 82 cases. These figures are deeply alarming and demonstrate the growing scale of the crisis facing our learners.
This situation reflects a disturbing dereliction of duty by the provincial education authorities to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children.
ActionSA calls for the immediate implementation of the following interventions:
– Urgent strengthening of vetting protocols for all teaching and school support staff.
– Automatic inclusion of convicted offenders on the NCPR in compliance with POPIA and child protection laws.
– The enforcement of strict safeguarding policies and mandatory sanctions for offenders, including permanent deregistration and criminal prosecution.
– Schools must be sanctuaries of learning and safety, not hunting grounds for predators.
ActionSA reiterates its commitment to ensuring learner safety.
As the party’s spokesperson on education in the Gauteng Legislature, I will demand full accountability through formal legislative processes and oversight. We will not rest until a comprehensive action plan is in place to root out abusers and rebuild trust in the education system.
ActionSA Appalled at the Failures to Efficiently Vet Teachers, Demands Stronger Vetting Mechanisms
ActionSA is appalled by the persistent and systemic failures by the Gauteng Department of Education and the South African Council of Educators (SACE) to properly vet educators and ensure that those listed on the National Child Protection Register (NCPR) are barred from working with children.
These institutional shortcomings have tragically allowed individuals accused and convicted of sexual misconduct to remain in our schools. The recent court appearance of a Braamfischer Primary School teacher at the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 14 April 2025, on charges of sexual assault, is yet another harrowing example of this failure.
In the 2024/25 financial year alone, the Education Labour Relations Council recorded 111 cases of teacher misconduct involving sexual abuse – a 35.4% increase from the previous year’s 82 cases. These figures are deeply alarming and demonstrate the growing scale of the crisis facing our learners.
This situation reflects a disturbing dereliction of duty by the provincial education authorities to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children.
ActionSA calls for the immediate implementation of the following interventions:
– Urgent strengthening of vetting protocols for all teaching and school support staff.
– Automatic inclusion of convicted offenders on the NCPR in compliance with POPIA and child protection laws.
– The enforcement of strict safeguarding policies and mandatory sanctions for offenders, including permanent deregistration and criminal prosecution.
– Schools must be sanctuaries of learning and safety, not hunting grounds for predators.
ActionSA reiterates its commitment to ensuring learner safety.
As the party’s spokesperson on education in the Gauteng Legislature, I will demand full accountability through formal legislative processes and oversight. We will not rest until a comprehensive action plan is in place to root out abusers and rebuild trust in the education system.