The shadow MEC for Education for the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng, Khume Ramulifho, disclosed that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) had spent more than R10 million on teachers who had been placed on precautionary suspension due to sexual misconduct.

He claimed that sexual assault was a serious problem in the province and that students were still being mistreated by the educators entrusted with their care.

"This is horrifying and a blatant sign that innocent lives are in danger. According to Ramulifho, out of the 173 claims of sexual misbehavior against instructors, 29 teachers received precautionary suspensions," and six more are still on them.

Chiloane also revealed that 86 teachers are still in their jobs despite sexual misconduct claims, albeit some of them received firing penalties while others were cleared of any wrongdoing. The GDE terminated about 87 of the teachers after finding them responsible.

Accountability

To make the learning environment safer, Ramulifho emphasised that sexual misbehavior must be completely eliminated, and the department must make sure those found guilty bear the consequences of their actions.

"Furthermore, the fact that the department does not maintain records of the cases that were reported to the police is also troubling.

The victims were encouraged to file criminal complaints with the South African Police Services (SAPS), according to the department, which asserts that reporting is not the responsibility of labour relations.

This implies that guilty teachers are fired without going through the criminal court system.

To prevent the department from having to pay for teachers who are put on leave, the DA insists that Chiloane expedites the inquiry process.

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"In addition, I'll speak with the MEC personally to find out why the department isn't filing charges against teachers who have been found guilty of sexual misconduct.

Additionally, we demand that the department enter all of the teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct on the National Register for Sex Offenders."

Ramulifho emphasised that this will guarantee that educators who are found to be guilty of sexual misconduct are barred from working with children.