With the latest crime statistics showing that schools continue to be scenes of violence, the Department of Basic Education has revealed that 805 schools have been prioritised for psychosocial support.
These are schools situated in high crime-risk areas including the Tshwane West education district in Gauteng which covers Sohanguve, Winterveldt and Mabopane.
More than 140 schools in the area have been earmarked for support in various forms.
This information is contained in a recent reply to a parliamentary question by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
She revealed that the schools benefit from psychosocial support ranging from gender-based violence programmes, homework support, and visits by nurses and social workers.
The latest police statistics, which cover the period of March to June released by Police Minister Bheki Cele in August, show that murders committed in educational institutions increased by 12.5% from eight in the first quarter of 2023 to nine in the second quarter.
Though the statistics have a disclaimer that educational institutions are only crime scenes, and that not all victims are pupils, the report for the April to June period shows that in six of the nine murders four victims were pupils.
Basic education portfolio committee member, the DA’s Baxolile Nodada, said more collaboration is needed between different departments in the social protection, community and human development cluster to deal with the issues in high-risk crime areas.
“It is important that the schools and communities in high crime-risk areas are provided with the support they need,” he said.
In his written parliamentary question, Nodada also asked Motshekga whether her department has engaged with the departments of social development and health regarding the placement of students of psychology, psychiatry and/or social work in the schools.
In her response, Motshekga said the placement at schools is part of an ongoing process.
“Placement of students of social work in schools is part of ongoing discussions taking place as part of a strategy for the placement of social services professionals in schools that is currently being led by the Department of Social Development.
“The placement of psychology students will be taken up with universities as part of the development of the Mental Health App, whose aim will be provision of counselling services to learners. Both these processes have started,” she said.
A total of 25 attempted murders were committed in educational institutions in the period of April to June 2023, up by 79% from the 14 cases of attempted murder reported in January to March.
Schools continue to be vulnerable to criminals with 2 136 burglaries reported in the second quarter compared with 629 burglaries at liquor premises.
Motshekga said the psychosocial interventions provided in schools also focus on building the capacity of school-based support and linking schools with community-based organisations.
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