The Ministry of Basic Education does not possess verified provincial data for each year regarding educators who have passed checks against the National Register of Sex Offenders and the National Child Protection Registry since 2019.
Furthermore, the ministry lacks information on the number of teachers who were checked and registered by the South African Council for Educators (SACE) during the same period.
This information was disclosed by the Minister of Basic Education, Sivive Gwarube, in response to parliamentary questions posed by DA MP Ciske Jordaan.
In her response, Gwarube stated that the ministry informed her about the absence of verified provincial information concerning the number of names of teachers added or removed from the National Register of Sex Offenders (NRSO).
She clarified that the NRSO is administered by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, stating: 'The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is the competent authority to provide verified information on additions and removals from the NRSO.'
Provinces Responsible for Teacher Vetting
Nevertheless, Gwarube emphasized that provincial departments of education are responsible for ensuring the vetting of relevant staff and, if necessary, for submitting the required information to the competent authority in accordance with current legislation.
The Minister added that the ministry recommended that provincial departments conduct background and suitability checks during recruitment and employment.
It was also noted that the minister has accelerated the pace of checks against the NRSO and the National Child Protection Registry as a priority for student protection.
At the Ministerial Council on Education meeting on July 17, 2026, provinces were instructed to expedite the vetting of both potential and current educators and other personnel with access to students. The Minister is also addressing operational constraints affecting the processing of applications in the NRSO.
Gwarube added that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development issued 71,472 NRSO certificates during 2026.
Similarly, regarding the National Child Protection Registry (NCPR), Gwarube reported that the national department oversees the checks conducted by provincial departments, rather than administering the additions or removals from the registry, which is handled by the Department of Social Development.
As of August 7, 167,143 checks had been conducted by provincial departments.
Gwarube also noted that her department did not collect information on teachers vetted by SACE because it could not provide verified data on the number of individuals checked against the NCPR and NRSO since 2019.
She explained: 'Verified information in this regard must be obtained from SACE. Furthermore, the ministry advised that an applicant recognized by SACE as a sex offender, or who otherwise does not meet the requirements for teaching suitability, cannot be registered as an educator.'
In conclusion, Gwarube clarified that the vetting of educators and corresponding school staff is the responsibility of employers according to applicable legislation.