Education MEC Chiloane: To improve school safety, parents must play an active role! In response to escalating safety concerns at schools, the Gauteng Department of Education has stressed that a long-term, sustainable solution will require active parental involvement.
With over 245 schools identified as high-risk, and 70 in particularly dangerous zones due to gangsterism, drug trade, and other illegal activities, school safety has become a priority for the department.
High-Risk Schools: The Scope of the Problem
The Gauteng Department of Education recently flagged over 245 schools as high-risk, largely due to factors within the surrounding communities.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane explained that the problem stems from influences around the school environment that inevitably spill into school grounds. With approximately 70 schools labeled “red-zone” due to particularly hazardous conditions like gang activities and the illegal drug trade, addressing safety in these schools has become increasingly urgent.
While efforts are underway to implement security measures, the MEC acknowledges the difficulty of these issues without cooperation from the communities that surround the schools.
Schools, Chiloane noted, cannot be separated from the communities they serve: “You can’t discuss school safety without understanding that the school is the microcosm of the community,” he said. “What happens in the community always finds itself in our schools. Kids always copy who they see as role models or elders do, and they’ll copy it.”
The Role of Parents in Ensuring School Safety
The Department of Education has taken steps to protect students, from installing cameras to hiring security guards, but officials believe that long-lasting change must start at home. Parental involvement, according to Chiloane, is crucial for instilling values and positive behaviors that will then carry into the school environment.
He stressed that without proactive engagement from parents, any measures implemented by the government could fall short.
The MEC called on parents to work hand-in-hand with teachers and school administrators to foster a safe and supportive environment for students. He emphasized that parents have the power to influence their children’s behavior more profoundly than any external authority.
By setting a positive example and actively participating in their children’s lives, parents can help prevent risky behaviors from taking root.
School Safety Imbizo: Collaborative Efforts to Address Challenges
To tackle these issues head-on, MEC Chiloane initiated a series of school safety imbizos, the first of which was held in Klipspruit, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday.
The imbizos bring together educators, parents, community leaders, and local law enforcement to discuss school safety challenges and brainstorm practical solutions. With three more imbizos planned, the department aims to establish a collaborative framework where all stakeholders feel empowered to make a difference.
The imbizos also provide a platform for parents to share their concerns directly with education officials and to better understand the safety challenges their children face daily. Through open dialogues and shared insights, these meetings aim to develop a unified approach that emphasizes community-wide involvement.
Chiloane expressed hope that this initiative will bring communities together to create a protective environment around schools, ensuring students can focus on learning without fear.
Challenges and Measures for School Safety
The safety issues surrounding schools go beyond just controlling student behavior. Schools within the red-zone face persistent threats from gang members who recruit young people, dealers who market drugs to students, and criminal elements who use schools as a hub for illegal activities.
The Department of Education has rolled out several temporary safety measures, such as increased patrolling, the installation of CCTV cameras, and collaboration with local police units.
However, these measures can only go so far without the support of the community. Gang and drug influences, Chiloane noted, are deeply embedded in these neighborhoods, requiring a long-term, united approach to dismantle. “Safety is not just about fences and cameras. It’s about culture and what the children are exposed to daily,” he explained.
Moving Forward: Building a Culture of Safety
For Gauteng schools to be truly safe, it’s essential to foster a culture of security that resonates both within and beyond school walls. Parental involvement, as Chiloane emphasized, is central to establishing this culture.
The MEC pointed out that children emulate the behaviors and values they see modeled at home and in their communities. When parents actively engage with their children’s education and take an interest in their daily activities, children are less likely to become involved in dangerous behavior.
Chiloane also encouraged parents to attend future imbizos and actively participate in conversations about school safety. By doing so, parents not only learn about the realities their children face but also become part of the solution.
The MEC expressed optimism that if communities take collective responsibility, they can create a safer environment for all students.
Conclusion: A Community Responsibility
The high-risk status of Gauteng schools is not merely an education issue but a reflection of community dynamics. The Department of Education’s call for parental involvement underscores the necessity of addressing these safety challenges through a unified, community-driven approach.
By participating in safety imbizos, monitoring their children’s activities, and fostering positive values at home, parents can contribute significantly to creating safer schools.
As Gauteng officials work to secure school environments, they recognize that the ultimate solution requires a comprehensive effort involving educators, law enforcement, and, above all, committed and engaged parents.
Only through such a collaborative approach can the province hope to turn the tide on school safety and provide students with an environment where they can learn and grow free from the shadows of violence and criminality.
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