Education
- (a) What measures are in place in each of the Central Karoo region’s schools to enhance safety and (b) what are the details of other programmes or drills;
- whether there are Safer School programmes in place in any of the schools of this region; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;?
- (1) & (2) Schools have a Safety Committee which is responsible for safety management at the school. The School Safety Committee is a sub Committee of the SGB. The SGB properly constituted consists of educators, non-educators, community organisations and at high schools, a member of the Representative council of learners.
The School Safety Committee must ensure that all security gaps are addressed by doing an annual audit. The three pronged strategy is implemented to help establish a safe school environment. Schools are equipped with alarms linked to armed response or the SAPS, safety gates, stone guards and/or burglar bars, etc.
Through the SAPS DBE Protocol, all schools are linked to the local SAPS station. The Sector Manager visits the school regularly and serves on the school safety committee.
Schools complete an annual audit to ensure that all safety and security gaps are filled.
Schools have a preparedness plan (contingency plan) to address contingencies such as fire, flooding, bomb scare, etc. They have at least two safety drills annually. Staff members are trained in fire fighting and first aid. They are also trained as emergency controllers and wardens.
All schools are encouraged to have in place various policies that are included in the learner code of conduct; these include: policies on substance abuse, searches and seizure, bullying, truancy, learner attendance etc.
Developmental training is focussed on learners as well as educators and if the need arises, members of the community.
Holiday and after school programmes ensure that learners are trained in programmes such as Creative and Constructive Approaches to Conflict, Gender Based Violence, Bullying in schools, Diversity, Gang intervention, Substance Abuse, Anti-Truancy, to name but a few. The programmes are needs driven.
Schools are supported with holiday security and emergency security when the security infrastructure has been compromised.
