School safety has become an increasingly urgent issue in South Africa’s Gauteng province after education authorities identified 245 schools requiring targeted intervention because of elevated risks linked to violence, crime and broader community challenges.
The findings were presented by Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, during a review of school safety initiatives and ongoing efforts to protect learners and educators across the province.
The assessment, which covered more than 1,300 public schools, found that safety concerns at many institutions extend beyond school grounds and are closely connected to gang activity, substance abuse, criminality and violence within surrounding communities.
According to the provincial government, improving school safety has become essential to maintaining effective teaching and learning environments while addressing wider social challenges affecting young people.
School safety remains a growing priority
While Gauteng’s education system continues to face pressure from overcrowded classrooms, infrastructure backlogs and service delivery demands, officials say violence and insecurity now rank among the province’s most pressing educational concerns.
The review identified several recurring risks, including gang-related violence, bullying, drug and alcohol abuse around schools, vandalism, theft, sexual harassment and criminal activity in neighbouring communities.
Education officials said regular engagement with parents, teachers and community organisations has highlighted additional concerns such as unsafe routes used by learners travelling to and from school, deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate security around school premises.
Authorities emphasised that improving safety requires cooperation between government departments, schools, law enforcement agencies and local communities rather than relying solely on physical security measures.
Mental health support complements security initiatives
Alongside increased security deployments, the Gauteng Department of Education has expanded partnerships with organisations providing psychosocial support to learners and educators.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) provided mental health and suicide prevention services to more than 11,000 learners and 150 educators by April 2026.
The Teddy Bear Foundation has delivered direct psychosocial support to more than 100 schools, while Childline Gauteng and the Isibindi Ezikoleni Programme, operating in 30 schools, have reached over 35,000 learners through services addressing trauma, abuse and behavioural challenges.
Officials say these programmes demonstrate that school safety extends beyond physical protection to include emotional wellbeing and mental health.
To improve on-campus security, the department has deployed security personnel to 422 schools, installed CCTV systems at 606 schools and expanded additional protection to 121 of the province’s highest-risk schools.
These measures are supported through partnerships with the South African Police Service (SAPS), public awareness campaigns and technology-driven initiatives such as the Vodacom School Safety Project.
The 245 high-risk schools were identified following an environmental assessment conducted by the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance, which concluded that many safety challenges are rooted in wider community conditions.
The Gauteng Department of Education is also reviewing its School Safety Strategy, first launched in 2024, with the updated framework expected to place greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention, stronger stakeholder coordination and technology-enabled safety solutions.
Provincial authorities say creating safer schools remains essential to improving educational outcomes and protecting both learners and educators across South Africa’s most populous province.
Source: Adapted from the Gauteng Department of Education.