Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, has reiterated her stance on bullying in schools, saying: “I want to be absolutely clear: violence and bullying have no place in our schools. Every learner has the right to attend school in safety, dignity and peace”. This follows the recent bullying incident that occurred at Milnerton High School. Minister Gwarube will be embarking on a national Anti-bullying Campaign to strengthen the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE’s) national response to school-based violence and bullying.
Other steps include adding bullying in schools to the agenda of the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) to ensure that bullying is addressed collectively by all provinces and directing the DBE to assess how anti-bullying protocols are being implemented across provinces and to evaluate their effectiveness. The Minister added that “our education environments must embody respect, empathy and accountability. We must all as school staff, parents, learners and communities, uphold and defend that principle. As Minister, I remain firmly committed to working hand in hand with schools, governing bodies, provincial education departments and community partners to ensure that every school is a safe, supportive, and nurturing space for learning”.
Chairpersons of Parliament’s Social Services Cluster oversight committees briefed the education sector on various oversight priorities in the basic and higher education sectors on 27 October 2025. The briefing, which is part of the 7th Parliament’s Committee Cluster Media Engagement Programme, took place under the theme: “Ensuring Open Access and the Provision of Quality Social Services to the People.” The Social Services Cluster includes Basic Education; Health; Higher Education; Human Settlements; Social Development; Sport, Arts and Culture; and Water and Sanitation.
The briefing took place amid mounting concerns across South Africa’s education sector. At the school level, a wave of bullying and school-based violence continues to undermine learner safety and wellbeing. Between January and March this year, there were 548 reported cases of bullying in schools, whilst earlier studies show that 65% of Grade 9 learners experienced bullying monthly, and systemic shortcomings in oversight, resources and policy implementation allow incidents to go unreported or unremedied.
The briefing was led by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Mr Tebogo Letsie; the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela; the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Sciences and Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni; and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng.