Education

My department has informed me of the following:
(a) The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is fully committed to ensuring that all learners can learn in environments that are safe and supportive. The WCED has established clear reporting procedures for public schools to make it as easy and safe as possible for learners to report bullying, while prioritising their dignity, safety and confidentiality at all times.
To prevent further victimisation, schools are required to manage both the reporting process and the follow-up interventions with utmost discretion. The confidentiality of all parties must be maintained as far as possible. Schools must take immediate steps to protect the learner from any further harm, which may include separating the learner from the alleged bully during the investigation.
The Abuse No More Protocol is a guideline on the management of child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children. The document explains 3 scenarios:
• Learner on learner abuse (such as bullying)
• Teacher/staff member on learner abuse
• Parent/guardian/stranger abuse on learner
The protocol includes clear guidelines on the procedures to follow. The disclosure process is outlined on Page 5. Section 3.2. Please see link to the document:
https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/documents/abuse_no_more/AbuseNoMoreENG.pdf
(b)
(i) The Abuse No More protocol does not provide timeframes, however, any form of abuse reported by the school to the district office is dealt with immediately by the Circuit-Based Support Team (CBST), which includes social workers and psychologist, located at each education district office.
In cases reported to Safe Schools directly, the matter is referred to the relevant district office and school. Initial feedback is expected within 24 -48 hours.
(ii) As per the Children’s Act, all forms of abuse is referred to the Department of Social Development for external investigation. The CBST social worker and psychologist will provide support internally. Advice will be provided to the School Governing Body regarding disciplinary action.
In a case where an educator or staff member is the alleged perpetrator, the WCED Directorate Employee Relations will investigate the case and the CBST social worker and psychologist will provide support to the learner victim during these hearings.
The investigation time is dependent on the nature and complexity of the case. It is expected that, at a maximum, cases should be completed within 10 school days. This is, however, dependent on witness and victim testimony, availability, accessibility and reliability of evidence.
(iii) The Western Cape Education Department strives to resolve cases, including implementing any necessary disciplinary, remedial, or supportive interventions within 20 school days from the initial report, where circumstances allow. Many factors may impede this timeframe.