North West Department of Education Strengthens School Safety

The North West Department of Education’s School Safety Unit, in partnership with Moving Dot, has launched an intensive training workshop aimed at enhancing school safety across the province. The workshop, which runs from 27 to 30 August 2024, is being held at Sparkling Waters Resort in Rustenburg, bringing together selected learners, educators, and School Governing Body (SGB) members.

The primary objective of the training is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of school safety tools and the essential policies that form the foundation of a secure learning environment. Through this initiative, the Department seeks to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain a safe atmosphere within schools, ensuring that both teaching and learning can take place without disruption.

MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, underscored the Department’s unwavering commitment to prioritising school safety. “As a department, we are serious about ensuring that our schools are safe. For teaching and learning to be effective, they must take place in a secure environment. This training will empower all stakeholders at the school level to know the steps they should undertake when confronted by challenges at school,” she stated.

Motsumi further emphasized the importance of broadening the impact of this training across the province. “We are going to ensure that all schools across the province receive this training. Those who have been trained should share their knowledge upon returning to their respective schools. Education remains a societal matter, and for our schools to be safe, our communities should play their part,” she added.

The workshop is part of the Department’s broader strategy to combat the challenges faced in ensuring a safe educational environment. By fostering a collaborative approach that involves parents, educators, and the community, the Department aims to uphold the rights of all children in schools, allowing them to thrive both academically and personally.

This initiative reaffirms the North West Department of Education’s dedication to creating schools that serve as safe havens for learners, teachers, SGB members, and other officials, thereby laying a strong foundation for quality education in the province.