Maile declares war on crooks in Gauteng schools

By Palesa Matlala

• Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile says officials found misusing school money could face disciplinary action, criminal investigations and attempts to recover stolen funds.

• More than 11,000 residents joined Gauteng education consultations where communities raised concerns about bullying, gangs, drugs, weapons, violence and corruption in schools.

Gauteng parents have had enough of school money being misused while their children battle crime, drugs, gangs and bullying.

Now Education MEC Lebogang Maile says those responsible for corruption will be hunted down and held accountable.

The concerns emerged during Gauteng’s It Takes a Village to Raise a Child outreach programme.

More than 11,000 residents took part in consultations across the province between May and July.

Parents, pupils, teachers, religious organisations and community leaders were given an opportunity to speak about problems affecting schools.

Two major concerns kept coming up: what happens to school money and whether children are safe when they go to school.

Parents demanded greater accountability over school finances, buying processes and other public resources.

“Parents repeatedly demanded stronger accountability for the management of school finances, procurement processes and public resources,” Maile said.

He warned that when school money disappears, children ultimately pay the price.

“They made it clear that corruption steals directly from children because every misappropriated rand reduces opportunities for teaching, infrastructure, learner support and educational development,” he said.

Investigations into claims of financial misconduct involving principals, School Governing Body members and other officials are continuing.

The cases include claims of irregular procurement, unauthorised spending, misuse of school money and failures to follow financial rules.

Maile warned that anyone found responsible could face serious consequences.

“Where evidence confirms wrongdoing, disciplinary action, criminal investigation and recovery processes are pursued without fear or favour because corruption is incompatible with quality education and developmental governance,” he said.

He said school money must be used for the children it was intended to help.

“Public funds belong to learners. Misusing them is not simply financial misconduct, it is the theft of opportunity from the African child,” Maile said.

But money is only one part of the problem facing Gauteng schools.

Communities also raised serious concerns about crime and violence.

The report identified bullying, gangsterism, drugs, vandalism, weapons, intimidation and gender based violence among the problems affecting schools and surrounding communities.

Maile said these concerns were raised repeatedly across different districts.

“Regardless of district, parents, educators, learners, faith based organisations and community leaders consistently raised concerns about crime, violence, bullying, gangsterism, substance abuse, vandalism, weapons, intimidation and gender based violence affecting schools and surrounding communities,” he said.

The MEC warned that children cannot be expected to perform well when they are scared at school.

“Learning cannot flourish where fear dominates,” he said.

“The future of the African child depends on creating environments where every learner feels physically safe, emotionally secure and socially valued.”

Communities want more visible policing around schools as part of the response.

They also called for stronger campaigns against drugs, better discipline and more emotional and social support for pupils.

But Maile warned that simply sending more police officers to schools would not solve everything.

“Policing alone cannot solve violence,” he said.

Parents also have a responsibility to help deal with bad behaviour and keep children safe.

The problems inside schools are often linked to what is happening in the communities surrounding them.

“Schools cannot become islands surrounded by communities experiencing violence, crime and social instability,” Maile said.

The province plans to strengthen its work with the South African Police Service, Community Policing Forums, municipalities and social service professionals.

The aim is to make schools and the communities around them safer.

Concerns raised about corruption will also be used to improve oversight of school finances and strengthen investigations.

For Gauteng parents, the message from the consultations was simple.

Children need schools where money meant for their education reaches them and where they can concentrate on learning without fearing gangs, drugs, bullying or violence.

Maile has now promised action on both fronts.

The test will be whether those promises turn into safer schools and greater accountability for every rand meant to educate Gauteng’s children.

Pictured above: Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has promised tougher action against corruption and violence after more than 11,000 residents raised concerns about schools.

Image source: File.