Gauteng Education MEC commits to improving safety in province’s schools

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng’s Education MEC has reaffirmed his commitment to improving safety in the province’s schools.

MEC Matome Chiloane reiterated his dedication during the department’s final School Safety Imbizo, held on Saturday at the Ratanda Multipurpose Center in Heidelberg, Sedibeng Municipality.

In the meeting, it was revealed that many schools in Sedibeng are facing escalating issues of violence, gangsterism, substance abuse, and bullying.

The MEC says there are no high-risk schools but rather communities that negatively influence the learners.

“We look at the community, and correctly so.... and those learners are going to be divided along those lines of the gangsters that are outside the school. The number of incidents that are reported from the school. And I tell the directors, I want facts. Facts, don't sugarcoat.”