ALARMING TEACHER VETTING RATES

Stakeholders demand immediate measures to ensure child safety in schools

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

IN A shocking revelation, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed that only 19% of teachers have been screened and vetted at public schools against the National Register for Sex Offenders.

This data, concerning over 400000 teachers across public schools, was disclosed following queries from IFP MP Liezl van der Merwe, after Gwarube commented following the alleged rape of the 7-year-old Cwecwe at Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, that she would like to see teachers and other officials at schools screened and vetted against the National Register for Sex Offenders.

The shocking statistics come against the backdrop of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development working on a phased approach to making the register more accessible to key stakeholders most affected by the challenge of sexual offenders.

In her response, Gwarube clarified that the law mandates employers of school staff to verify the suitability of candidates before any appointment is finalised and immediately terminate employment if an individual is found to be listed on the two registers.

She said the Department of Basic Education (DBE) had issued a directive to all provincial Education Departments that all officials and educators, including those in officeand school-based posts, must be vetted against the National Register of Sexual Offenders.

Out of a total of 405738 teachers employed by provincial departments, a total of 78509 teachers (19%) have been vetted.

“These figures are based on educator data from the PERSAL system as of December 2024, and reporting received from provincial Education Departments by 31 March 2025,” she said.