Alarm over security cuts

SCHOOL SAFETY: CALLS MOUNT TO REINSTATE TRAINED GUARDS AFTER DEADLY ATTACK

- Masoka Dube

A tourist takes a photo of the Louvre pyramid designed by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei next to the copy of the Louis XIV sous les traits de Marcus Curtius statue by Bernin, covered in snow in Paris on Monday. Picture: AFP

(AFP)

The Gauteng education department’s decision to cancel school security contracts late last year has ignited outrage among parents, experts and governing bodies, who warn that pupils and teachers have been left dangerously exposed.

With no risk assessment conducted before the guards were removed, schools across the province have become soft targets for criminals — a gamble that has already had deadly consequences.

The DA recently released a statement accusing the department of cancelling the agreements without conducting a risk assessment.

When responding to DA Gauteng spokesperson on education Michael Waters in the provincial legislature, MEC Matome Chiloane conceded that the risk assessment was not done, stating the contracts were cancelled due to financial constraints.