WATCH: Disgusting behaviour shows pupils stripping and Destroying school property

Johannesburg, South Africa – August 23, 2025 – Teaching, once regarded as a noble and secure profession, has become increasingly hazardous in South Africa, with educators facing rising threats of violence from learners, external criminals, and community conflicts. Statistics reveal a grim picture: approximately one in five educators experiences a violent act perpetrated by a learner each year. In a recent survey, 68% of teachers reported having directly or indirectly experienced physical violence in their schools.

The year 2025 has seen a sharp uptick in reported incidents. From January to June, authorities recorded 50 cases of learners assaulting teachers, averaging nearly 10 assaults per month. This surge contributes to widespread exhaustion among educators, with half of South African teachers expressing a desire to leave the profession due to violence and related stresses. In crime hotspots, 283 schools operate under constant threat, exacerbating the risks for staff.

Specific incidents underscore the severity of the crisis. In Philippi, a township in the Western Cape, a teacher was raped and robbed at an Educare Centre. Armed intruders have also stormed schools, such as the case at Zanemfundo Primary School where men demanded valuables, disrupting teaching and instilling fear among staff and pupils. Tragically, fatal attacks persist; in 2023, three educators, including a principal, were gunned down in the Eastern Cape. More recently, a principal who celebrated a 100% pass rate at his school was shot dead at the school gates the following day.

School-based violence extends beyond learner-teacher confrontations to include bullying, vandalism, and external threats infiltrating educational environments. Between 2016 and 2022, 33 teaching staff members in the Western Cape alone were violently assaulted. Overall, reported cases of school-based abuse and sexual violence increased by 35.4% in 2025. These figures align with broader African trends, where violent attacks on schools rose 20% in 2023, totaling 411 incidents affecting educators and learners.

Efforts to combat this include initiatives like workshops for principals on managing violence-free schools, hosted by organizations such as the National Teachers' Union in collaboration with universities. The South African Police Service has also committed to addressing crime in schools, particularly in high-risk areas. Despite these measures, unions like the South African Democratic Teachers' Union have expressed deep concern over ongoing violence in regions such as Eldorado Park.

The dangers extend to psychological tolls, with teachers reporting trauma from polyvictimization—repeated exposure to multiple forms of violence. This environment not only hampers educator well-being but also disrupts learning, as violence is more prevalent in secondary schools compared to primary ones. As South Africa grapples with its history of institutionalized violence, the safety of teachers remains a critical barrier to effective education.