Sexual misconduct in education is ‘a concern’ – Bosa

• Published date: 19 April 2024
• Author: Benida Phillips benida.phillips@acm.co.za
• Publication title: Diamond Fields Advertiser

Mainame and local party supporters handed over a memorandum at the department earlier this week

In the memorandum the party state that to date at least 15 girls have reported acts of sexual violence committed by teachers and principals in the Province.

The memorandum further stated that there were 30 reported cases of young girls who were impregnated by teachers and principals in the Northern Cape.

Maimane accused the department of turning a blind eye to these incidents and even harbouring the alleged perpetrators implicated in such acts.

He said that there is a child sexual abuse epidemic in the Province which must be eradicated.

“The education system in this country must make it possible for young people to be educated and put a job in every home.

“There are a number of teachers who face serious allegations of sexual assault against our children.

“I am a father . . . I send my children to school and expect the educators to protect them, and not impregnate them. For a department of education to be aware of these allegations, to hide reports, to promote and move teachers who are predators to various schools, is a secondary offence.

“I have given the department seven days and demand answers in this regard or we will take legal action. This issue requires that we reform the entire department across the country.

“We are fighting for security measures so that our children do not go to school with school bags and return in body bags,” Mainane said.

Maimane said corruption has proven to be a great contributor to the problems faced at schools.

“There is the ‘Jobs for Cash Report’ where principals are appointed to work for unions and not for the schools. The success of a school depends on the principal. The first person who should be concerned and fighting sexual offences in schools should be the principal.

Maimane added that social challenges, such as unemployment, needed to be addressed urgently.

“Gender-based violence is mostly perpetrated by men. We need to ensure that our homes are safe...