JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — In response to escalating school violence and widespread vandalism, the Gauteng Education Department has announced a comprehensive rollout of new security interventions aimed at protecting learners and educators across the province.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile highlighted that misconduct and safety threats remain a critical concern, citing alarming statistics from the past five years. During this period, the department recorded more than 4,600 incidents of violence and over 4,100 cases of vandalism. Additionally, the province saw close to 400 cases of sexual misconduct and nearly 1,400 registered search and seizure operations.
To combat these threats, the department is collaborating closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) under a 10-point protocol established in 2025. This agreement focuses on coordinated searches, seizures, reporting, and monitoring to ensure the consistent collation and analysis of crime data, allowing for highly targeted interventions.
A recent provincial safety scan evaluating more than 1,300 educational facilities identified 245 high-risk schools that require urgent attention. In direct response, private security personnel have been deployed to 121 of these institutions, while surveillance CCTV systems have been successfully installed at 606 schools across the province.
Beyond physical security upgrades, MEC Maile emphasized a holistic approach to student well-being. The department has been actively strengthening the role of school governing bodies and enhancing partnerships with law enforcement, municipalities, social workers, psychologists, community structures, and civil society organizations. Furthermore, addressing the psychological toll of these environments, more than 11,000 pupils and 150 teachers received mental health and psychosocial support in April through a strategic partnership with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
The department has issued a strong call to action, urging parents, school governing bodies, community leaders, faith-based organizations, and all civil society stakeholders to actively participate in safety initiatives and work collectively to protect educational facilities. Despite these extensive measures being put in place, underlying concerns persist among communities regarding whether the current efforts are ultimately sufficient to guarantee a safe environment for all pupils and teachers.
