Outrage over teacher-pupil sex scandal

MEMBERS of Parliament have expressed outrage over the alarming number of teachers accused of having sexual relations with pupils, following a report by the South African Council for Educators (SACE) that exposed widespread misconduct in schools.

- MHLENGI SHANGASE

The report, tabled before Parliament’'s portfolio committee on basic education this week, revealed 606 cases of teacher misconduct in the 2024/2025 financial year, 127 of which involve sexual relations with pupils.

SACE chief executive Ella Mokgalane said the council was deeply troubled by the persistence of such cases, which continue to erode trust in the teaching profession.

“We are worried because the number of reported cases keeps increasing. There are currently 606 in total, and of those, 127 involve teachers who continue to sleep with learners,” said Mokgalane. “If these teachers are found guilty, they are removed from the roll.”

She added that investigations are being hampered by a lack of resources, with 379 cases from previous years, some dating back to 2022, still under investigation.

“In the 2024/2025 financial year, 36 teachers were removed from the roll,” she said.