Gauteng Boosts School Safety with Mining Rehab, First Aid, and Governance

The GDE revealed that several schools across Gauteng have been severely affected by the impacts of legal and illegal mining.

In a comprehensive strategy to create a secure and supportive environment in schools, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing safety, health, and governance challenges across public schools. This follows growing concerns over the effects of illegal mining, structural instability in school infrastructure, and the need for broader emergency preparedness and political neutrality in the learning environment.

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Tackling the Threat of Mining Near Schools

The GDE revealed that several schools across Gauteng have been severely affected by the impacts of legal and illegal mining. This includes ground instability, structural damage, and potential air pollution. While no formal air quality complaints have been lodged by the schools, there is visible evidence of long-term environmental degradation such as concrete dilapidation and reinforcement corrosion in buildings.

To address this, the department has launched a rehabilitation programme targeting 13 schools located in regions such as Gauteng West, Centurion, and Ekurhuleni South. Affected schools include Boiteko Primary School, Laerskool Fleur, and Laerskool Louis Leipoldt. Additionally, 11 more schools in Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark, including Laerskool Oospark, Setjhaba-Sohle Secondary School, and Oliver Lodge Primary School, are undergoing repairs.

The rehabilitation initiative is a response to the geological risks posed by dolomitic ground conditions, and aims to ensure that learners and educators are not placed at physical risk due to compromised infrastructure.

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First Aid and Disaster Readiness on the Curriculum

To build a culture of preparedness and self-reliance, the GDE has significantly expanded its Multi-Certification Skills Programme (MCSP), a flagship initiative offering accredited training in first aid, coding, entrepreneurship, and more. This effort is aimed at providing learners with up to 13 certification credits by Grade 12, ensuring that education goes beyond the classroom to impart life-saving and career-enabling skills.

Since the programme’s launch, 212 schools have delivered accredited first aid training, reaching 1,017 learners. The curriculum covers CPR, bleeding control, burn treatment, fracture stabilisation, and seizure management—all taught by accredited service providers registered on the Gauteng Provincial Government’s Central Supplier Database.

This initiative is fully funded by the department and supported at the school level by School Management Teams and School Safety Teams, who ensure newly trained learners join annually to keep the programme active and effective.

Additionally, the GDE has equipped teaching staff with firefighting and disaster management training, including Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) across all districts.

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Certified First Aiders and School Safety Compliance

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the GDE has taken steps to ensure schools are compliant with emergency medical protocols. While the law mandates one trained first aider per 100 staff members, the department trains 3–4 personnel per school to account for staff turnover.

In the past three years, 315 staff members have been trained in Level 1 accredited first aid, and 116 schools currently have at least one trained first aider on site. These professionals are drawn from each school’s School Safety Committee and serve as critical first responders in medical emergencies before EMS teams arrive.

To ensure sustainability, the department also:

• Distributes educational materials on health and safety regulations

• Supplies first aid kits and refills to schools

• Trains school personnel in both first aid and fire response techniques

• Provides additional support to non-compliant schools for quick remediation

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Keeping Schools Politically Neutral

Reiterating its commitment to maintaining an unbiased learning environment, the department clarified that politically affiliated organisations—such as COSAS and PASO—are not officially recognised within public schools. The only sanctioned student governance body remains the Representative Council of Learners (RCL).

While acknowledging the constitutional right to freedom of association, the department emphasized that unauthorised political activity within schools is prohibited, especially during instructional hours. This policy comes in response to recent incidents of disruption, vandalism, and even violence linked to external student organisations.

School principals have been provided with annual guidance on handling such situations and law enforcement is engaged where activities cross into criminal behaviour. The department underscored the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, which classifies school disruptions as criminal offences.

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Fighting Corruption with Accountability

On the governance front, the GDE reported that it had recorded one corruption-related case in the past five years, concerning the decontamination and deep cleaning of schools. The matter was investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and resulted in:

• R3.8 million spent on legal and investigative processes

• Disciplinary action taken against those involved

• The matter being escalated to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for criminal proceedings

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Vision for the Future

In a statement, MEC Matome Chiloane reiterated the department’s mission to improve education not just through academics, but through safe, transparent, and well-governed institutions. "We are committed to regular public accountability and remain responsive to all concerns related to governance, safety, and the wellbeing of learners and educators."

Through continuous policy interventions, collaborative partnerships, and proactive monitoring, the Gauteng Department of Education aims to ensure that every child in the province has access to a secure, inclusive, and empowering learning environment.