Question NW2722 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
09 December 2021 - NW2722
Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether there are currently any collaborative interventions undertaken by her department and the SA Police Service to deal with the (a) violence in schools amongst learners and (b) kidnapping of children from schools; if not, why not; if so, (i) what has been the method of measuring the impact of the interventions and (ii) to what extent has she found this to be a reflection of an ineffective national intelligence function?
Reply:
(a) and (b) The Department signed a Partnership Protocol Agreement with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to support its efforts in combatting violence and crime in schools. This Protocol, sets out the framework for close inter-departmental co-ordination in order to create Safe, Caring and Child Friendly Schools, in which quality learning and teaching can take place. The aims of this protocol are to:
- Strengthen Safe School Committees to curb crime and violence in schools;
- Encourage all role players at school and in communities to play an active role as members of Safe School Committees;
- Link all schools to local Police Stations;
- Establish reporting systems at schools;
- Raise awareness amongst learners regarding crime and violence and its impact on individuals, families and education;
- Establish a school-based crime prevention service and interventions, which will deter potential offenders and empower potential victims and past victims;
- Extend crime prevention programmes to Early Childhood Development Centres in order to raise awareness amongst young children on how to keep themselves safe;
- Mobilise communities to take ownership of schools; and
- Promote the image of the South African Police Service, and to build positive relationships between schools, police stations, children and school communities.
The abduction of learners outside school premises is a worrisome development for the Basic Education Sector and the school communities in general. Due to the complexity of this threat to the Sector, a broader national collaboration is being marshalled by the department with other relevant departments, especially those in the Security Cluster.
The Minister of Basic Education collaborates and works effectively with the SAPS through the National Joint Operations and Intelligence Structures (Natjoints) which coordinates all security and law enforcement throughout the country to source intelligence regarding incidences of violence in schools.
The Department also utilises the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) to work with school communities to ensure the safety of school communities. The QLTC constantly reaches out to communities, including the traditional leaders, in promoting the participation of parents and the broader society to make our schools safe places of teaching and learning.