Teachers under siege: Second killing in a week raises alarm over violent schools

Following the tragic shooting of a 54-year-old teacher outside Kayamandi Primary School in Stellenbosch, and a double murder at Endulweni Primary in Tembisa just a week prior, serious questions about teacher safety are emerging.

Basil Manuel, Executive Director at the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), expressed profound concern in a recent interview: "The level of violence is what is most concerning. There have always been issues in and around schools, particularly the difficult-to-teach-at schools, because of community violence. But the murders of late leave one a little taken aback."

While acknowledging that providing security at every school is logistically impossible given the sheer number of educational institutions across the country, Manuel suggests a targeted approach. "The difficult-to-teach-at schools, as we euphemistically call them, are a handful, and we need to target those schools," he explained.

Another critical aspect highlighted by Manuel is the importance of visible law enforcement action. The perception that perpetrators are escaping justice is deeply troubling for educators. "We need to be seeing arrests made by the police. We need to see that things are being done, and that helps to give a sense that people will not get away with it," Manuel emphasised.

The reasons behind these attacks vary widely, from disputes over coveted teaching positions to general criminality and even financial issues. In one case, reports suggest money changing hands improperly may have led to violence as individuals attempted to cover up financial mismanagement.

What's particularly alarming is the frequency of these incidents. While comprehensive statistics on teacher murders aren't regularly highlighted in ministerial reports, NAPTOSA has requested data to determine whether this represents a growing trend or isolated incidents.

The violence creates ripple effects throughout school communities. As Manuel poignantly noted, "Our schools need to be safe spaces, not only for teachers but particularly for pupils, because if pupils don't feel safe in these schools, how are they going to concentrate on learning?"

The timing couldn't be worse, with final assessments underway across the country. The trauma experienced by both students and teachers is compounded by insufficient counselling resources, especially in vulnerable schools.

"There are a few itinerant people who are going to pitch there to try and assist the children with the trauma and the teachers. But it's by far not enough," Manuel stated.

To understand the full scope of this crisis and the proposed solutions, click below to listen to the complete interview with Manuel: