Gwarube reveals that less than half of teacher vetting applications have been processed

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has disclosed that of the 97,576 applications submitted for vetting teachers against the National Register of Sex Offenders as of October 31, 46,041 have been processed and certificates issued by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Gwarube cited systemic capacity constraints and a complex multi-stakeholder process as reasons for the delays in the vetting process, which is critical for protecting learners from potential abuse.

Gwarube revealed this recently when she was responding to MK Party MP S W Mkhize, who enquired following her recent response that more than 300,000 educators were not vetted against the National Register of Sex Offenders.

Mkhize asked about plans she has put in place to ensure the vetting of educators commenced in earnest, and also wanted to know the date the vetting will be completed amid the current worrying state of sexual abuse in schools.

In her written response, Gwarube said the head of a provincial Education Department, as stipulated in the Employment of Educators Act, is the employer of educators employed by that department at public schools in the relevant province.

Gwarube stated that the Department of Basic Education does not directly employ educators at public schools.

“In terms of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, all relevant employers are legally required to vet both existing and prospective employees against the National Register for Sex Offenders.

“This process determines their suitability to work with vulnerable persons, specifically learners.”

Gwarube said provincial Education departments have made concerted efforts to comply with the Criminal Law Amendment Act by initiating the vetting of educators and public service staff who have access to learners.

“This process has been implemented consistently since May 2022,” she said, adding that the Department of Basic Education was responsible for monitoring compliance through monthly progress reports submitted by the provincial departments.

Gwarube stated that 97,576 applications were submitted by the provincial Education departments to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as far back as the inception of the process in 2022.

“The Department of Basic Education estimates this figure is understated due to direct submissions from some Quintile 4 and 5 public schools.”

She also said 46,041 certificates were issued to provinces by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development since 2022

This total of certificates issued marks 47% of the applications received and processed to date.

Gwarube explained that there was no definite timeline for the completion of vetting of all teachers due to systemic capacity constraints within the complex, multi-stakeholder value chain.

“The vetting process involves various role-players - namely public schools, provincial Education departments (inclusive of their districts), the South African Police Service, and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The reliance on this highly constrained value chain contributes to the current processing delays and slow progress.”

She said her department and provincial departments remained fully committed to ensuring that all educators and public service staff in schools are vetted against the National Register of Sexual Offenders.

“The Department of Basic Education will continue to intensify efforts to work collaboratively with provincial Education departments and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to address these constraints, continuing to monitor progress and provide updates to relevant oversight structures.”

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za