Provincial Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), Loyiso Mbinda, confirmed that they have called for urgent strengthening of school safety following the incident which happened at Ntabankulu Primary School in Ntabankulu, where three teachers were shot inside the school premises recently.
He said this organisation has expressed serious concern regarding the state of safety in schools, particularly in the Eastern Cape, following the recent incident.
“The incident which happened in this school is deeply troubling and underscores the urgent need to strengthen safety measures in our schools.
“Many schools in the Eastern Cape continue to operate without adequate security, access control, or effective safety protocols, leaving learners and educators vulnerable,” he said.
He emphasised that NAPTOSA has repeatedly raised concerns about school safety with the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
He stated that on February 27, 2025, they formally submitted a memorandum to the Department proposing a comprehensive School Safety Awareness Campaign aligned to the National School Safety Framework.
Mbinda said,
The department undertook to respond within 14 days; to date, no formal response has been received. This lack of urgency is concerning, given the seriousness of the challenge we face. NAPTOSA maintains that current security arrangements in many schools are insufficient and calls on the Department of Education to take decisive action. School safety cannot be treated as an optional extra.
“We are calling for the urgent strengthening of access control measures, the provision of security personnel where necessary, the consistent implementation of the National School Safety Framework, and improved coordination among the Department, SAPS, Social Development and community safety structures.”
According to Mbinda, when addressing concerns around the conduct of educators, NAPTOSA is unequivocal: any form of abuse, harassment, or unprofessional conduct by educators is unacceptable and has no place in their schools.
Educators are entrusted with the care and protection of learners, and those who violate this trust must face the full consequences of the law and applicable disciplinary processes, whilst due process is respected.
“On the issue of suspects being released on bail and the protection of school communities during investigations, NAPTOSA stressed the importance of safeguarding measures.
“Where serious allegations arise, particularly when suspects are released on bail, there must be clear precautionary measures to ensure that learners, educators and witnesses are protected. This includes risk assessments, alternative placement or suspension in line with labour laws, confidentiality and access to psychosocial support.
“Witnesses must feel safe to report incidents without fear of intimidation or victimisation.”
He said their protection is essential if they are serious about accountability and justice in their schools.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Malibongwe Mtima, said the department is already in the process of ensuring that all schools are safe.
He said this is an ongoing process as they are busy providing the schools with security fencing, CCTV cameras, etc.
“We have already started to ensure that our schools are safe; even Ntabankulu Primary School was on the list of the schools that were going to receive security fencing,” said Mtima.
Also read: Second teacher dies following Ntabankulu Primary School shooting
