Schools are meant to be safe spaces, nurturing young minds and futures. Yet, South Africa’s classrooms are grappling with a disturbing surge in sexual misconduct by teachers. More than 100 cases were reported in 2024/2025 alone, painting a stark picture of a system failing its children.
Between 2021 and 2025, 176 teachers were found guilty of sexual misconduct, involving harassment of both girls and boys. Out of 211 reported cases, only 35 teachers were acquitted.
This disturbing trend has spurred urgent parliamentary action, with the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education spearheading a comprehensive inquiry into statutory rape and sexual abuse within schools. The inquiry shines a harsh light on systemic issues such as inadequate vetting of educators, inconsistent reporting practices and loopholes that enable offenders to evade justice and sometimes even return to teaching roles.
