Crisis in Free State Education: Over 600 Teachers with Criminal Records Still Employed

The Free State Department of Education is currently under fire following revelations that 649 teachers with criminal records are still actively employed in schools, raising serious safety concerns among parents, officials, and advocacy groups. This issue came to light during a recent session in the provincial legislature where Education MEC Julia Maboya acknowledged the situation but did not provide a clear strategy or timeline for resolving it.

According to TPN Credit Bureau, approximately 3.6% of the 447,123 education employees nationwide have criminal records. These include not only teachers but also coaches and administrative staff, some of whom are waiting trial for severe crimes such as murder, rape, theft, and assault.

The process of vetting these individuals appears to be ongoing with no definite end in sight. Free State departmental spokesperson Haward Ndaba admitted to the challenges in providing a definitive timeline for the completion of this crucial vetting process. "We are still busy with the vetting process to get a full picture before a comprehensive response can be effected," Ndaba stated.

The Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson on education in the Free State legislature, Dulandi Leech, expressed grave concerns regarding the implications for student and teacher safety. "The ongoing presence of educators with criminal records in our schools places both pupils and dedicated educators at risk," Leech commented, urging for quick action to ensure classrooms remain secure environments.

Adding to the chorus of concerns, Nomusa Cembi of the South African Democratic Teachers Union highlighted that the presence of such teachers undermines the concept of schools as safe havens for children. "While not all criminal records may directly disqualify someone from teaching, serious offences, especially those involving harm to children, are absolutely unacceptable," she stated.

Cembi also reminded that since 2019, regulations have required schools to conduct background checks on all prospective staff, ensuring they do not appear on the National Register of Sexual Offenders. She reiterated Sadtu’s commitment to advocating for stringent policies to safeguard students, teachers, and support personnel.

This ongoing situation in the Free State not only raises questions about the effectiveness of current policies and vetting processes but also underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms within the educational sector to prioritize and ensure the safety and well-being of all students.

As the community and stakeholders await decisive action from the Free State Department of Education, the pressure continues to mount for significant improvements in the transparency and efficiency of the vetting process aimed at fostering a safer educational environment.