Communities across the Gauteng have identified crime, bullying, gangsterism and substance abuse as major challenges affecting school safety and educational outcomes.
Crime, bullying, gangsterism and drug abuse have emerged as the biggest threats facing learners in Gauteng, with communities across the province warning that educational outcomes will remain under pressure unless school safety is urgently strengthened.
This emerged from Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile’s post-consultative report on the province-wide “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” outreach programme, which engaged more than 11,000 residents between May and July this year.
According to the report, concerns about violence in and around schools were consistently raised by parents, educators, learners and community leaders throughout the engagements.
“Regardless of district, parents, educators, learners, faith-based organisations and community leaders consistently raised concerns about crime, violence, bullying, gangsterism, substance abuse, vandalism, weapons, intimidation and gender-based violence affecting schools and surrounding communities,” Maile said.
