More than a million children are the victim of violence in schools.
Millions of South African children experience violence and bullying at school, a problem researchers have linked to poorer academic performance, lower school participation and reduced educational attainment.
The issue is particularly relevant during Youth Month, as educational achievement remains one of the strongest predictors of employment prospects in a country where millions of young people remain unemployed.
Marking Child Protection Week, Statistics South Africa’s latest data shows the extent of violence affecting children in schools. Drawing on information from the General Household Survey, it said that 1.15 million learners aged five years and older experienced some form of violence at school in 2024.
While the proportion of learners experiencing corporal punishment has declined over the past 14 years, violence remains widespread.
