The Mpumalanga Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, today hosted the Mpumalanga Integrated School Safety Indaba under the theme “Building Safer Schools Together.” The two-day gathering brought together learners, educators, parents, government officials, law enforcement agencies, traditional leaders, NGOs, business representatives and community organisations to confront the growing safety challenges affecting schools across the province.

Premier of Mpumalanga, Mandla Ndlovu, delivered the keynote address during the opening session, calling for urgent and united action to create safer learning environments for children. The Indaba aims to promote dialogue, share best practices and develop long-term strategies to improve the safety and wellbeing of learners, educators and support staff throughout Mpumalanga.

Discussions during the Indaba focus on several key themes, including the shared responsibility for school safety, the use of technology and innovation to strengthen security, learner leadership and peer support, as well as conflict resolution and emotional resilience. Organisers say the event is intended to produce sustainable solutions driven by strong partnerships and community ownership to ensure schools become secure spaces where teaching and learning can thrive.

Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has called for urgent and coordinated action to tackle violence, bullying, drugs and criminal activity in schools across the province, warning that unsafe learning environments are threatening the future of young people.

Addressing delegates at the Provincial School Safety Indaba held at the Sabie Floreat Hotel in the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality on Thursday, the Premier described school safety as a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of government, communities, parents, educators, law enforcement agencies and learners themselves.

The gathering brought together representatives from the Department of Basic Education, SAPS, labour unions, school governing bodies, traditional leaders, religious organisations and civil society to discuss practical interventions aimed at improving safety in schools throughout Mpumalanga.

In his address, Premier Ndlovu reflected on the significance of Youth Month and the upcoming commemoration of 50 years since the 16 June 1976 student uprising. He reminded attendees that young people have historically played a powerful role in shaping society and urged today’s youth to unite against violence and criminality in schools.

Quoting former President Thabo Mbeki, Ndlovu said young people have the power to change history when they stand united behind a just cause. He also invoked the words of Nelson Mandela, describing education as “the most powerful weapon” that can be used to change the world.

The Premier stressed that meaningful teaching and learning cannot take place in environments dominated by fear and insecurity. He said learners who fear bullying, gangsterism or drugs struggle to focus on their studies, while educators who feel unsafe cannot teach effectively.

Ndlovu highlighted alarming statistics relating to crime and violence in schools across the province. According to the figures presented during the Indaba, 623 schools reported incidents of vandalism and burglary during the past year. He said the figures point to deeper social problems affecting communities.

The Premier also revealed that learners were exposed to 25 incidents involving stabbings and gun-related violence, while two murders were recorded on school premises during the same period.

“These are not isolated incidents; they are systemic problems requiring systemic solutions,” he said.

Drug-related incidents reportedly increased sharply from five cases in the first quarter to 72 by the end of the final quarter of 2025. Incidents of bullying involving teachers stood at 16, while gender-based violence continued to affect both learners and educators.

Ndlovu warned that exposure to violence at a young age could normalise criminal behaviour among learners and negatively impact the future of communities. He further cautioned that young people exposed to drug dealing and easy money in the streets could begin questioning the value of education.

Despite the grim statistics, the Premier pointed to several encouraging developments. He said the number of schools implementing anti-bullying programmes increased significantly from 120 to 301 during the year, while schools adopting corporal punishment prevention protocols rose from 50 to 265.

In addition, schools conducting searches and seizures nearly doubled, demonstrating that interventions can yield positive results when properly implemented.

Addressing learners directly, Ndlovu encouraged young people to become active agents of change within their schools. He praised learners who report dangerous behaviour and reject violence, saying courage and accountability are essential to building safer school environments.

“Reporting danger is not weakness; it is courage,” he said.

The Premier also emphasised the need for stronger partnerships between government departments, the South African Police Service, the Department of Correctional Services, the Human Rights Commission, community organisations and parents.

He announced that Mpumalanga would continue aligning its efforts with the National School Safety Protocol launched jointly by the Ministers of Basic Education and Police in 2025.

Among the measures proposed during the Indaba were the establishment of fully functional school safety committees, stricter enforcement of regulations declaring schools zero-tolerance zones for drugs and dangerous weapons, and tighter screening procedures for visitors entering school premises.

Ndlovu said every school should have an active safety plan and every learner should have a voice in matters affecting their wellbeing.

He further stressed that school safety should not rely solely on security measures, but must also promote empathy, dignity, discipline and emotional support.

Closing his address, the Premier called on all stakeholders to work together to transform schools into safe spaces where learners can thrive academically and socially.

“Our expectation is that this Indaba will produce a consolidated Provincial School Safety Framework, accompanied by practical implementation strategies aimed at creating safe, secure and child-friendly learning environments throughout Mpumalanga,” he said.

The Premier concluded by urging communities to unite behind a common mission of restoring discipline, hope and safety in schools across the province.