The Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, has expressed concern following allegations that learners were sexually assaulted by fellow learners at Naturena Primary School No. 2 in Johannesburg.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), two learners have reported alleged incidents of sexual assault to the police. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said it is closely monitoring the matter and working with law enforcement authorities to ensure investigations proceed without interference.
Outraged parents and community members recently gathered outside the school following serious allegations of sexual abuse involving Grade 7 pupils and younger Grade 4 learners. The protesters are demanding the removal of the school principal, citing mismanagement of the situation and separate infrastructure issues, such as a lack of completed flush toilets on the premises
The department has requested a comprehensive report from the school to determine the circumstances surrounding the allegations, the school’s response and whether all required procedures and protocols were followed.
The GDE said psychosocial support and counselling services are being provided to affected learners, their families, educators and school staff as part of a coordinated government intervention.
Maile also raised concern about disruptions to teaching and learning at the school following the allegations. He said while South Africans have the constitutional right to peaceful protest, such action should not prevent learners from accessing their right to basic education.
“Sexual assault is an extremely serious matter that deserves the full attention, support and intervention of government. We must ensure that every affected learner receives the necessary protection and assistance while allowing the relevant processes to unfold. However, we cannot accept the disruption of teaching and learning as a means of expressing dissatisfaction. The right to protest cannot be exercised at the expense of children’s constitutional right to education. We expect law enforcement authorities to act decisively against unlawful conduct that prevents learners from accessing education,” said Maile.
The MEC stressed that schools must remain safe environments for teaching and learning and called on communities to work together to protect children from sexual abuse, violence and all forms of misconduct.
The school has committed to implementing a curriculum recovery plan to make up for learning time lost during the disruptions and provide academic support to affected learners.
The Gauteng Department of Education said it will continue monitoring developments at Naturena Primary School No. 2 while coordinating support for everyone affected, particularly learners.
The department also appealed to parents, community members and other stakeholders to respect the dignity and privacy of the minors involved and to work together to restore stability and uninterrupted teaching and learning at the school.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to protecting learners, strengthening accountability in schools and ensuring that all allegations of sexual misconduct are treated with the seriousness they deserve.
