School’s failure to protect children is a crisis: LRC

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The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) says it is deeply disturbed by the recent reports of a seven-year-old girl, Cwecwe, who was allegedly raped at her school in Matatiele while waiting for transport.

According to LRC, this horrific incident has again spotlighted the urgent need to address sexual misconduct in our schools.

Educator sexual abuse is a crisis, remarked Puleng Mosia, LRC Communications Officer.

“While current laws require the vetting of school staff and mandatory reporting of abuse, these processes are poorly implemented—leaving learners vulnerable.

Toolkit to assist schools understand legal duties

“Between 2022 and 2024, 72,576 teachers were appointed, but only 28,835 vetting certificates were issued. Our schools are failing to protect children.

“To support accountability and empower schools to act, the LRC has launched a free, accessible toolkit to help schools understand and fulfil their legal duties regarding educator misconduct,” she added.

Meanwhile, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) will take to the streets in a national march on Wednesday to protest against austerity measures in public education.  

The march will head to the offices of National Treasury, Department of Basic Education and Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria.

“This action forms part of SADTU’s ongoing resistance against persistent budget cuts that are negatively impacting the education sector and public services.

“The Union warns that the erosion of public education funding paves way for increased privatisation of the sector. The march is aligned the global theme set by Education International: Go Public!

“Fund Education and is part of the Union’s broader campaign to defend and preserve South Africa’s public education system. 

“In addition to opposing austerity, SADTU will call on government to take decisive action against corruption, curb illicit financial flows and hold multinational corporations accountable for tax evasion.

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“The Union maintains that tackling corruption will help free up much-needed resources for public education,” the statement read. 

SADTU has further called on parents, community members, civil society organisations and progressive forces to join this critical march in defence of quality, well-funded public education for all.