The increasing violence in schools is of concern to government.
According to Bongiwe Mbingo-Gigaba, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, “As a committee, we will discuss violence in schools. We commend the Minister and the Department for putting a sectoral and a national plan in place to address violence in schools. We further note that addressing violence in schools falls among the competencies of the provincial education department.”
Bongiwe went on to say that during a presentation from the Department of Basic Education on its Annual Performance Plan, Minister Angie Motshekga said although all parties are aware of violence in schools – involving both learners on learners and learners on educators – it is important not to militarise schools.
“The committee heard that schools must remain gun-free zones. Schools have however been informed to start with basic safety measures, as some school properties are not even fenced.”
Bongiwe added that the committee will do everything in its power to assist all role-players to ensure that schools are places of safety where education can take place without fear of death or injury.
“We agree that this requires a multi-sectoral approach and plan. Violence occurs in our communities and spills over into our schools. This is a societal issue and must be addressed by us collectively to ensure a better and brighter future for all learners.”
She added that, in terms of the budget, the committee had heard that although it receives a budget of more than R24,5 billion, only about R6 billion remains with the national department, with the bulk being transferred to the different provincial departments of education.
“These budgets are not always spent on what they are allocated for, such as infrastructure. The committee heard that departments tend to move funds from one programme to another when the funds in one programme are finished.”
