Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has raised alarm over the growing number of sexual misconduct cases involving educators and learners, calling for urgent and coordinated action to protect children in schools.
Committee members heard on Tuesday (4 November) that between the 2018/19 and 2024/25 financial years, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) recorded 469 cases of sexual misconduct by educators. Of the 211 disciplinary awards issued between 2021/22 and 2025/26, 176 teachers were found guilty and 35 not guilty.
Committee Chairperson Joy Maimela said real success would be seen when victims get justice and children are safe from future abuse.
“We must accept that the problem is complex, and because it involves gender-based violence and sexual misconduct, it affects our children directly,” she said. “We must do everything in our power to prevent it. And if it does happen, we must ensure that justice is attained.”
The State’s Responsibility in Protecting Children
She questioned why such cases persist despite existing laws and oversight structures.
“We need to look closely at the legislative gaps. With all the laws in place, with all the councils and advocacy, why are we still here?” Maimela asked. “The state is the ultimate custodian of children’s welfare, and their interests must always come first.”
The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) and the South African Council for Educators (SACE) briefed the committee on Tuesday about their efforts to handle sexual misconduct and harassment in schools. The briefing covered the total cases that were handled with regards to educator misconduct, consequence management, professional development programmes for educators, and the submission of registers for sexual offenders.
SACE informed the committee that they vet more than 50 000 teacher applications every year against the National Register for Sexual Offenders, in partnership with the Departments of Justice and Social Development. However, due to the Department of Justice’s manual submission system and internal delays, SACE sometimes registers applicants without full clearance feedback — relying instead on teachers’ signed declarations that they have never been convicted of sexual offences.
Members of Parliament expressed concern that these gaps allow offenders to remain undetected. They also criticised cases where parents withdraw complaints or are intimidated into silence. The committee said the state must continue investigations even without parental consent, to ensure accountability and justice for victims.
Committee calls for database to track offenders
Another key issue raised was that educators implicated in sexual misconduct sometimes reappear in other schools. Members called for such individuals to be permanently barred from teaching, and for a national database to monitor misconduct cases and outcomes.
The committee also urged that learner pregnancies be automatically investigated to uncover possible statutory rape cases. Members questioned the number of unresolved cases and called for evidence of arrests, prosecutions and convictions.
Maimela said the committee will submit written questions to SACE and the ELRC to clarify outstanding issues. She emphasised that Parliament will continue its oversight role as part of its broader duty to protect the rights and wellbeing of children in the education system.
Paarl Post reported in August this year about a teacher at the Wagenmakersvallei NGK Primary School in Wellington who was disciplinarily charged amid allegations that he wrote sexually suggestive letters to two Grade 6 schoolgirls. A criminal case has been opened at the Wellington police.
Bronagh Hammond, a spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), previously said they are aware of the allegations and that the accused teacher was temporarily suspended earlier this year as a precautionary measure.
There are currently no new updates on the status of both the internal and criminal investigations.
