JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — Amid rising Gauteng school violence figures, provincial authorities are implementing urgent safety measures after nearly 5,000 violent incidents were reported in public schools over the past five years. The alarming statistics, which include more than 4,000 cases of vandalism and over 400 incidents of sexual misconduct, have prompted the Department of Education to classify 245 institutions as high-risk.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile addressed the growing crisis during a recent media briefing on school safety. While he noted that efforts to tackle crime are progressing, he admitted the numbers remain a major concern. The escalating threat has been underscored by recent tragedies, including the brutal death of an 18-year-old Grade 10 learner from Mokgome Secondary School in Braamfischerville, Soweto, who was hacked to death with a panga.
In response to these alarming figures, the Department of Education commissioned a comprehensive study into crime and violence across the province’s schools. The research revealed that safety challenges are deeply intertwined with broader community conditions. Key issues identified include gang-related violence, bullying, substance abuse, the availability of drugs and alcohol near school premises, sexual harassment, vandalism, theft, and surrounding criminal activity.
These findings closely mirrored concerns raised during stakeholder engagements across the province. Parents, educators, and school governing bodies consistently highlighted the detrimental impact of community violence, bullying, and substance abuse on learners and school environments.
To combat the crisis, the department has rolled out several interventions, emphasizing that the long-term protection of schools cannot rely solely on private security services. MEC Maile stressed the need for a collaborative approach involving law enforcement agencies, school governing bodies, communities, parents, and other stakeholders working together to create safer learning environments.
As part of these technology-enabled safety interventions, CCTV systems have been installed at 606 schools across Gauteng to strengthen monitoring, improve incident detection, and support a preventative approach to school safety. Moving forward, the department plans to continue strengthening prevention programs, awareness campaigns, and support services to reduce the high number of violent incidents affecting learners and educators across the province.
