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By Thapelo Molefe
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli on Thursday unveiled a province-wide School Safety Programme aimed at addressing rising incidents of violence, crime, and drug abuse in schools.
Speaking at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Durban, Ntuli said the initiative was a bold commitment to inspire new hope by creating safer, stronger, and more prosperous communities, starting with schools.
Since January 2024, KZN has recorded more than 2,300 cases of sexual harassment, violence, theft, gang activity, drug abuse and faction fighting in schools.
“These are not just statistics. They are broken lives, interrupted education, and communities in distress. We cannot and will not stand by,” Ntuli told delegates.
The School Safety Programme will recruit and train student ambassadors to champion accountability and create safer school environments, while also establishing confidential reporting channels for learners to raise concerns about bullying, gender-based violence, and substance abuse.
In addition, security infrastructure will be strengthened through the installation of CCTV cameras in 20 schools across eThekwini, King Cetshwayo, and Amajuba districts.
The initiative will further promote arts, culture, and sports as preventative tools, using platforms such as poetry, debates, and other activities to encourage positive social messaging and awareness.
The programme will be implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Departments of Community Safety and Liaison, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, and the South African Police Service.
The launch was attended by representatives from law enforcement, senior government officials, educators, and community leaders, reflecting a broad commitment to making schools safer.
Ntuli emphasised that the responsibility for safe schools extended beyond the government.
“School safety is a collective responsibility. Communities must guard against vandalism and crime. Parents must remain present and guide their children. Learners, your voices matter, your leadership matters,” he said.
He warned that the province’s future depended on ensuring that schools remained “true havens of growth.”
“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,” Ntuli said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
