- School Safety Program Launch in Nelson Mandela Bay: The Eastern Cape Department of Education and SAPS initiated a school safety program to prevent crime and promote safe learning environments in selected schools, starting with an event at Ben Sinuka Primary School.
- Focus on Identifying Dangerous Items: The program involves searching school premises and students’ belongings to detect and remove weapons, firearms, and illegal substances, aiming to mitigate risks and uphold safety.
- Building Trust and Community Collaboration: The initiative emphasizes fostering trust between learners, educators, and law enforcement, with the message that schools should be safe places dedicated to learning, not criminal activities.
- Educational Initiatives for Learners: Beyond enforcement, the program includes educational sessions where students learn about the dangers of crime, the importance of responsible behavior, and safe practices inside and outside school.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education, in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS), has rolled out a School Safety Program in the Nelson Mandela Bay District to tackle crime and promote safe learning environments.
The initiative, which started today, focuses on preventing crime within schools by identifying and removing dangerous items such as weapons, firearms, and illegal substances. It also seeks to educate learners about the dangers of crime and the importance of responsible behaviour.
Four schools have been selected for the first phase of the programme namely; Ben Sinuka Primary School, Nokhwezi Primary School, Mzontsundu Secondary School, and Mnqophiso Primary School.
The campaign was officially launched at Ben Sinuka Primary School at 9:00 AM, where a combined team of police officers, school safety officials, and education department representatives conducted a thorough search of the school premises, classrooms, and learners’ belongings. This proactive step aims to detect any prohibited or dangerous items before they can pose a risk.
Following the search, learners gathered for an educational session where officials explained the purpose of the operation, shared real-life examples of the consequences of crime, and offered practical tips on how to stay safe both inside and outside the school environment.
Officials stressed that the drive is not only about enforcement but also about building trust between learners, educators, and law enforcement. “We want to send a strong message that schools are places of learning, not spaces for crime,” said one of the SAPS representatives.
The programme will continue in the coming days at the remaining schools, with further searches and awareness workshops planned. Authorities hope this ongoing collaboration will help reduce crime-related incidents in schools and equip learners with the knowledge and confidence to make positive life choices.
