CAPE TOWN – Ninety-six incidents in which teachers were assaulted by learners were reported to the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) Safe Schools Call Centre in 2025.

This is according to the Democratic Alliance (DA), which cited a written parliamentary reply. The figure increased from 75 incidents in 2024 and 74 in 2023.

The WCED has formal processes to address violence involving employees. Incidents can be reported to school principals, Circuit Managers and the Safe Schools Call Centre, while cases that constitute criminal offences can be reported to the police.

Teachers affected by incidents can also access psychosocial and trauma support, while learner support structures provide behavioural assessments, psychosocial interventions, restorative interventions and support plans.

Peter Johnson, the spokesperson on education for the DA in the Western Cape, said school safety must address violence between learners and teachers, between learners themselves and against learners by teachers.

“Every learner and teacher has the right to be safe at school,” Johnson said.

According to the DA, prevention measures include school safety plans, learner codes of conduct, behaviour-support programmes, conflict resolution, restorative practices and early identification of learners at risk.

The party said these measures are strengthened through partnerships with parents, communities and law enforcement.

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