Outcry in Gauteng as Schools Go Unprotected

Gauteng’s decision to cancel school security contracts late last year has triggered a storm of concern among parents, educators, and safety experts. The removal of trained security personnel from schoolswithout any prior risk assessment, has left pupils and teachers feeling exposed in an environment already fraught with crime.

Rising Fears After Tragic Incidents

The consequences of this decision have already turned deadly. Last month, a principal and an administrator at Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, were shot on school premises, a grim illustration of the dangers experts had warned about.

Parents on social media expressed shock and anger, with some calling for immediate intervention. “Our children are meant to be safe in schools. How can the government just remove security and expect us to stay calm?” wrote one concerned parent on Facebook.

Backlash from Political Leaders

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been outspoken in its criticism. DA Gauteng spokesperson on education Michael Waters slammed the department for acting without conducting a proper risk assessment.

Responding in the provincial legislature, MEC Matome Chiloane admitted that no such assessment had taken place, citing financial constraints as the reason for cancelling the contracts. Chiloane also acknowledged that the department had not examined the potential costs of increased vandalism, burglaries, and other criminal activitya gap that experts say is alarming.

Waters emphasized the danger of removing trained guards, saying, “This decision already had devastating consequences.”

Governing Bodies and Experts Speak Out

Matakanye Matakanye, chairperson of the National Association of School Governing Bodies, warned that removing guards from high-risk schools is a serious mistake. “When pupils and teachers leave, criminals can do as they please. Communities and parents must step in to protect schools, but that alone is not enough,” he said.

Education analyst Hendrick Makaneta agreed, stressing that reinstating trained security guards in vulnerable schools is essential. “This was an irresponsible decision. Criminal activity around schools is a known problem, and the government should prioritize safety over cutting essential services,” he said.

A Child-Centred Approach to Security

Shaheda Omar, clinical director at the Teddy Bear Foundation, stressed that bringing back security guards must be done thoughtfully. “Security personnel should reinforce child-centred safety strategies, not replace them. That includes psychosocial support, strong law-enforcement partnerships, and community involvement,” she said.

Omar also highlighted the importance of mapping high-risk zones and consulting school governing bodies to ensure guards are deployed where they’re most needed. Properly trained, visible security personnel can reduce anxiety, improve focus in classrooms, and reassure communities that the school environment is safe.

The Gauteng school security crisis has laid bare a worrying gap between policy decisions and the reality of crime in schools. Parents, educators, and safety experts are calling for urgent action: a risk-based reinstatement of trained guards, coupled with comprehensive child safety strategies, to protect the province’s most vulnerable learners.

“Safety in schools is non-negotiable,” Makaneta said. “It’s time for the government to act decisively before more lives are lost.”

{Source: The Citizen}

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