Sace’s failure to vet teachers concerning

URGENT action is required in strengthening the screening and vetting procedures conducted by the South African Council of Educators (Sace).

Year on year Sace has failed victims of sexual abuse, grooming and other heinous acts committed within the education system.

According to the 2018/19 annual report tabled by Sace, 128 cases of overall misconduct by teachers were reported in KwaZulu-Natal of which 21 were of a sexual nature. Furthermore, 36 cases were related to verbal abuse, harassment and defamation.

It is disheartening that the failure of Sace and the KZN Department of Education to vet and screen teachers entering the profession has seen the lives of young pupils destroyed.

The IFP calls on KZN Education MEC, Kwazi Mshengu, to urgently meet with Sace and various stakeholders to ensure proper screening takes place and that no stone is left unturned in rooting out corruption. Those who seek to undermine our education system must be duly dealt with.

Sexual offenders have no place in the education profession.

We cannot expect miraculous results when our pupils are being taught in environments which are not conducive to teaching and learning.

The IFP believes that the key to addressing the issue of sexual abuse in schools is for stronger action to be taken by Sace and the KZN department of education. THEMBENI KAMADLOPHA-MTHETHWA MPL IFP KZN Spokesperson on Education