Crime, bullying, and banditry are becoming growing threats in Gauteng schools

Communities across Gauteng have identified crime, bullying, banditry, and substance abuse as serious issues affecting school safety and educational outcomes.

These threats—crime, bullying, banditry, and drug use—have become the most significant dangers to students in Gauteng. Residents of the province warn that educational achievements will remain under pressure unless school safety levels are urgently improved.

This information was obtained from the post-consultation report by Gauteng Education Minister Lebogang Molefe, which covered over 11,000 residents through a provincial support program titled 'The whole village is needed to raise a child,' conducted from May to July this year.

According to the report, during meetings with parents, teachers, students, and community leaders, issues of violence inside and around educational institutions were constantly raised.

Molefe noted: 'Regardless of the district, parents, teachers, students, religious organizations, and community leaders consistently expressed concerns about crime, violence, bullying, banditry, substance abuse, vandalism, weapons, intimidation, and gender-based violence affecting schools and surrounding communities.'

The Minister emphasized that the study results revealed a direct link between unsafe communities and low educational outcomes. He stated: 'Learning cannot thrive where fear dominates. The future of the African child depends on creating conditions where every student feels physically safe, emotionally supported, and socially valued.'

The report noted that communities demanded increased visible police patrols near schools, activation of anti-drug campaigns, improvement in student discipline, and expansion of psychosocial support services. However, Molefe stressed that law enforcement alone is insufficient to solve this problem.

He added that 'police work alone is not enough to solve violence problems,' emphasizing that parental involvement remains critically important for ensuring school safety and monitoring student behavior.

The Minister cautioned that schools cannot be isolated from the social difficulties affecting neighboring communities. He stated: 'Schools cannot become islands surrounded by communities experiencing violence, crime, and social instability.'

The province announced its intention to continue strengthening cooperation with the South African Police Service, Community Policing Forums, municipalities, and social service specialists to enhance security around educational institutions.