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By Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng’s educational environment faces a grave safety concern, as recent revelations indicate that a staggering 95.5% of teachers in the province have not been vetted against the Child Protection Register (CPR).
This shocking statistic was disclosed by Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) MEC Matome Chiloane, highlighting a severe lapse in safeguarding measures for learners.
According to the figures, only 4.5% of the total 83,828 teachers — equivalent to 3,750 educators — have undergone the necessary vetting process required by Section 120(4) of the Children’s Act.
Chiloane was responding to a written question from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in relation to what the status of the vetting process in the province was.
This legislation mandates that individuals convicted of serious offences, such as murder, attempted murder, rape and other violent crimes against children, should be deemed unsuitable to work with minors and consequently listed in the CPR.
Part B of the CPR specifically addresses the need to identify and bar individuals unsuitable for working with children, aiming to protect students from potential abuse.
Despite this critical mandate, it appears the department has failed to enforce this protective measure, leaving the majority of educators unchecked.
The lack of comprehensive vetting is particularly alarming given that the GDE has confirmed awareness of its legal obligations.
The revelation that only a fraction of teachers has been vetted, underscores a troubling disregard for the legislation designed to ensure child safety in schools.
DA Gauteng education spokesperson Michael Waters has condemned the GDE’s inaction as “unacceptable” and a blatant neglect of their responsibility to protect children.
Waters emphasised that the failure to vet over 95% of teachers represented a significant risk to student safety and undermined the trust that parents and guardians placed in the educational system.
In response to this pressing issue, the DA said on Monday it would urge the Chairperson of the Education Portfolio Committee to summon the GDE for an urgent accountability session.
Waters asserts that the current situation is untenable and demands immediate rectification to ensure that every teacher is vetted in accordance with the Children’s Act.
“We cannot allow our children to be at the mercy of individuals who may pose a threat,” Waters declared.
“A DA government is committed to upholding rigorous safety standards, including thorough vetting processes, to ensure that those entrusted with educating and caring for our children are held to the highest standards of safety and integrity,” he said.
Parents and guardians in Gauteng are now left to question the measures in place to safeguard their children’s well-being.
Waters said that his party’s call for accountability aimed to restore confidence in the safety protocols of Gauteng’s schools and ensure that all educators were properly vetted to prevent potential harm to students.
The vetting of teachers against the CPR has been a topic of concern, with recent reports indicating that many provincial education departments have not been consistently vetting teachers.
The South African Council for Educators has previously emphasised the importance of thorough background checks, including police clearances and checks against these registers, however, there have been challenges in accessing and utilsing these registers effectively.
This situation highlights the need for improved processes and stricter enforcement.
The Child Protection Register, maintained by the Department of Social Development, includes information on individuals who have been found guilty of child abuse or other serious offenses against children. Before hiring, schools and educational institutions are required to verify that prospective teachers and staff do not appear on this register.
This vetting process aims to prevent individuals with a history of child abuse or similar offences from being employed in positions where they will have direct access to children. It is a key component of South Africa’s efforts to safeguard children in educational settings and uphold a safe learning environment.
Inside Education reached out to the GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona for comment. He did not reply at the time of publication.
INSIDE EDUCATION