Crime stats: “Basic Education must increase measures to safeguard learners” – DA
The Crime Stats revealed that between April and June this year, 19 murders and 67 rapes occurred on educational premises.
The first quarter crime stats of 2023/24 have revealed that schools remain places of danger and violence and not the safe havens they are meant to be.
CRIME STATS PAINT A BAD PICTURE FOR SCHOOLS
The Crime Stats revealed that between April and June this year, 19 murders and 67 rapes occurred on educational premises. Of these, 15 murders occurred on school premises, one at a creche, and 3 at tertiary institutions. 53 rapes occurred at schools, 5 at schools for learners with special education needs (LSEN), 15 at institutions of higher learning, and one at an early childhood development (ECD) centre.
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DA CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECENTLY RELEASED CRIME STATS
Marina van Zyl MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Basic Education, said: “It is also concerning that the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, failed to source information from her provincial departments regarding the Fourth Quarter 2022-23 crime statistics that indicated that eight murders, 14 attempted murders, 84 rapes and 238 incidents of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm occurred on the premises of educational facilities.
“Taking into account that not all instances are reported, the rate of rapes and other instances of sexual abuse might be much higher. It is clear that the Department of Basic Education must do more to ensure safe environments for learners”.
“The DA’s basic education policy focuses on a whole of society approach to address the problem of unsafe schools.”
Van Zyl
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BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN THE WESTERN CAPE
She added that the Western Cape’s Safe Schools Programme has various programmes that ensure safety in schools by taking into account the role of various environments in the learners’ lives that might affect their safety.
“The programme focuses on creating safe infrastructure that would minimise opportunities for abuse, developmental programmes to positively influence parent, teacher and learner behaviours, and ensuring the implementation of safety policies and reporting structures. We also recommend the automatic inclusion of educators who have been found guilty of abuse to the Child Protection Register, as well as dedicated psycho-social support in the 805 identified high-risk areas,” Van Zyl explained.
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Furthermore, Van Zyl said the DA will be asking Minister Motshekga to account to Parliament regarding these terrible crime stats, as well as her plans on keeping learners safe.