South African Schools Face Scrutiny After 39 Teachers Convicted for S€xu@l Abuse
SOUTH AFRICA – At least 39 teachers across South Africa have been convicted of s€xu@l misconduct against learners, highlighting weaknesses in the vetting processes meant to prevent such crimes in schools.
The findings, released by the Education Labour Relations Council, indicate that most offenders come from KwaZulu-Natal, followed by Gauteng.
Childline KwaZulu-Natal Director Adeshni Naicker condemned the educators involved, calling for them to be barred from teaching permanently for violating the trust placed in them.
“These findings are not only a betrayal of the trust placed in educators but also a violation of the rights of our children.
“Schools should be safe spaces where learners can grow, thrive and feel protected,” Naicker said.
The findings expose flaws in teacher background checks, showing that vetting alone is not enough to prevent such cases.
While background screening is meant to keep learners safe, Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga stressed that it is not a foolproof solution.
“Some people get vetted once they enter the system and then get involved in criminal activity. So, vetting is not a guarantee whatsoever,” he said.
Mhlanga stressed the need for a cultural shift in education, emphasizing that safeguarding children requires more than policy enforcement.
“We need to focus on changing attitudes, reminding adults that they have a duty to protect the young people in front of them,” he added.
As reported by SABC News, officials and child protection advocates are pushing for stronger reforms to ensure schools remain safe environments for learners.
With educator misconduct cases rising, experts emphasize the urgency of implementing more effective preventative measures beyond stricter penalties to protect vulnerable learners from abuse.
