Central SA
Free State MEC reaffirms zero tolerance for sexual harassment in schools─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 15:19 Wed, 22 Oct 2025
The Free State department of education has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising school safety after a sexual harassment incident involving teachers at St Bernard High School in Bloemfontein.
OFM News previously reported six former learners had opened criminal cases with the police, alleging sexual misconduct by several educators at the school. Of the six, five completed their matric in 2024, while one Grade 10 learner has since been transferred and left Bloemfontein.
The department responded swiftly, suspending three educators implicated in the allegations. Another teacher had already been dismissed over a separate sexual assault case.
Education MEC Dr Julia Maboya, speaking to the media on Tuesday (21/10) during the official start of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations at St Bernard Secondary School, addressed the scandal and reiterated the department’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual misconduct.
“As soon as we picked up the case, we acted swiftly,” Maboya said. “Three educators were immediately suspended. Their cases have been referred to labour relations, and the cases are ongoing.”
The department is not only responding to the specific incident but also strengthening preventive measures. “Over and above, we do have support we are providing to the school to make sure we don’t have a recurrence of that particular incident.
“We are providing psychosocial support to our learners. We are also making sure school safety, teacher, and learner safety are addressed. We are providing various programmes to ensure our learners are protected at all times. We are also taking teachers through certain training programmes to ensure we don’t have a recurrence of similar incidents.”
The department called for a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders. Parents, in particular, were urged to play an active role in safeguarding learners.
Meanwhile, the department expressed confidence that the province will maintain its top national performance and announced an ambitious target of a 95% overall pass rate and a 50% bachelor’s admission rate for the class of 2025.
Preparations for the marking process are already in motion, with 20 marking centres identified and inspected ahead of the exam cycle.
• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.
