The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, today unveiled a plan to create safer school environments for learners and teachers.
The KwaZulu-Natal School Safety Programme, launched in Durban, will see youth taking the lead in creating safer school environments conducive to learning and development.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will mobilise key government departments to make school safety a reality. The Departments of Community Safety and Liaison, Education, Sports, Arts and Culture, and the South Police Service are expected to pledge their commitment and resources towards the Programme.
Thousands of offences hamper safe school environments
The Programme’s inception follows startling statistics that indicate schools in KwaZulu-Natal registered 2300 criminal incidents since January 2024. These are: sexual harassment, violence, theft, gang activity, drug abuse, and faction fighting in schools.
“As both a Premier and a parent, I know that schools must be sanctuaries of learning and development – where dreams are nurtured and potential is unlocked. Yet, we cannot ignore the harsh reality confronting too many of our learners,” said Ntuli.
Responding to the 2 300 criminal cases at schools, Ntuli said: “These are not just statistics. They are broken lives, interrupted education, and communities in distress. We cannot and will not stand by,” he said.
The youth-led plan entails:
- Recruiting and capacitating student ambassadors to champion safety, dignity, and accountability in all schools.
- Empowering learners to be young leaders. Their task will be to encourage conversations on gender-based violence, bullying, drug abuse, and other risks. To achieve this, they need to devise confidential reporting channels for learners.
- Strengthening security infrastructure at schools. This includes the installation of CCTV cameras at 20 schools in the districts of King Cetshwayo, eThekwini, and Amajuba.
- Incorporating arts, culture, and sporting activities into school learning to foster prevention, awareness, and positive social messaging.
The Premier was confident the new Programme would inculcate a culture of safety, non-violence, and mutual respect, and empower learners to be messengers of peace. He hoped this initiative would give both parents and teachers the confidence to believe in schools being true havens of growth.
He urged communities to work collectively to also be champions of school safety.
“The safety of our children is non-negotiable. It is the foundation on which our province and our nation will stand or fall. No child in KwaZulu-Natal should ever fear walking into a classroom, and no parent should fear sending their child to school,” added Ntuli.
