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Serious concerns have been raised about corruption and the failure of background checks within South Africa’s education system, with education stakeholders warning that unqualified and criminally convicted individuals are slipping through the cracks to work in schools — sometimes with the help of bribes.
“When the Department of Education screens applicants for posts, including teaching positions, those who know they will fail often pay bribes to pass to be employed ‘through the back door’,” said Matakanye Matakanya, general-secretary of the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB).
“It is a fact that we live in a corrupt society. In some instances, teachers even pay their way into getting jobs. We get principals who take those principal positions when they do not even qualify for those positions,” he said.
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Matakanya added that problems arise when these unqualified individuals fail to uphold professional standards. Education specialist and activist Hendrik Makaneta said poor screening mechanisms allow convicted individuals to remain undetected.
“The screening process is very slow, no doubt, and many have been convicted,” he said, referring to a recent statistic that one in every 34 school employees in South Africa has a criminal record.
Makaneta added that sometimes those accused of sexual misconduct escape accountability through informal arrangements. “Often, those who are not [convicted] and are suspected of sexual abuse make deals with parents to prevent a case from being opened.”
He warned that existing systems fail to track individuals once employed. “They may not have a record at the time but can acquire one at a later stage. From there, there is no way of detecting them.”
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He added: “Once convicted, staff can move provinces and be added to a new database, preventing a convicted teacher from being blocked.”
Makaneta recommended that schools refer to the National Registry of Sex Offenders and called for periodic vetting. “Every five years, teachers should undergo a background check that would look at any offences gained. I believe that parents want the best for their child and by doing this, it will restore confidence in parents in the system.”
National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) executive director Basil Manuel said existing legal provisions must be actively enforced.
“Crimes which have been presented in court and those which are of a serious nature must be reported according to the system so that the Department of Education is informed. There must be enforcement and [correlation of the laws],” said Manuel.
Vishnu Naidoo, chairperson of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union’s (Sadtu) Dr Chota Motala branch, said the union welcomed vetting across all levels.
Even those who are in school governing body positions need to be vetted
Equal Education’s communications manager Ayanda Sishi-Wigzell said it was not solely the Education Department’s responsibility.
“The department can’t take it on by themselves, there needs to be a tandem of pressures from the police to as far as intelligence services that keep children protected and ensure screening takes place,” she said.
The Education Department had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
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