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Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he remains confident that the culture of violence within the province’s schools will come to an end and that Operation Kgutla Molao will bring law and order back into the classrooms.
Chiloane met with principals, SGB members and other educational stakeholders at Sizwe High school in Elandsfontein on Tuesday, to reaffirm the ongoing implementation and interventions of Operation Kgutla Molao.
Sizwe High School is one of 75 prioritised schools within a list of 245 Gauteng schools identified as high-risk.
Chiloane said factors being used by the department identifying high-risk schools include criminal acts against learners and educators, vandalised school infrastructure; drug and substance abuse; and undesirable behaviour such as bullying, racism, and sexual harassment.
“The unwavering commitment of the department and partnering stakeholders towards the safety and well-being of learners in Gauteng schools is evident through the rigorous implementation of Operation Kgutla Molao,” Chiloane said.
In addition, the MEC said that by addressing various safety concerns and collaborating with law enforcement, government agencies, communities and organisations, the department is actively working to create a safer and more secure learning environment for all.
“The initiatives outlined here not only prioritise the safety of learners and staff but also emphasise the importance of comprehensive training and awareness programs,” the MEC said.
Chiloane concluded by saying that the department remains steadfast in its dedication to ensuring that schools in the province become beacons of safety, learning and growth for all students.
However, it seems Chiloane might be painting too bright a picture, following criticisms from both within the meeting as well as from detractors outside.
One of the issues raised in the Question & Answer session following the MEC’s statement, was the concern over the increasing collapse and non-functioning of the “Adopt a Cop” program.
The initiative to revive school safety forums and to encourage pupils to report crime which started in 2013 has seen decreased cooperation since; with some principals claiming that the police officers assigned to their schools are never being replaced after resignation or retrenchment.
In addition, a principal from Boksburg, raised the issue of the departmental disciplinary committee’s slow response and backlog when it comes to effectively treating, punishing and rehabilitating learners who have been found guilty of misconduct.
Furthermore, this comes on the heels of the recent failure to keep up with rental payments on mobile classrooms at Nancefield Primary School, with the detrimental effect of interrupting learning and teaching.
DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education Sergio Dos Santos said that the GDE and the department of infrastructure development owed the service provider R2 million, with only R200 000 having been paid so far.
Dos Santos further criticised the department’s allocation of two security guards (in line with the department’s allocation of ‘two per day and two per night’ security presence), saying they were not enough bodies to monitor the whole school, including the construction site.
Despite the ongoing disagreement over progress, Chiloane said that he expects the operation to facilitate the comprehensive interventions outlined within the Gauteng School Safety Action Plan, and effectively reduce incidents of violence, bullying, suicide, substance abuse, and sexual harassment at schools within the country.
INSIDE EDUCATION