Cape Forum launches new safety audit to create resilient schools
Cape Forum is increasingly concerned about the incidence of disorder and violence at schools, which disrupts education and the safety of learners. The civil rights organisation has therefore started a new safety audit that empowers schools to take proactive action. The audit not only assesses the state of safety at a school but also suggests measures to improve the safety of staff and learners.
“With the recent deployment of the South African Defence Force in parts of the country, specifically in the Cape, communities themselves must start taking responsibility for their environment and communities. Cape Forum believes that this starts at school level,” says Bernard Pieters, Head of Community Activation at Cape Forum.
“The basic right to education and a safe environment is currently being undermined and we cannot just stand idly by as the government, state departments and law enforcement agencies address the situation. It is our duty as civil society to assist these state institutions, where practically possible, or to take responsibility ourselves within the scope of the law for the safety of our children, school staff and infrastructure.”
This audit focuses on a wide range of risk areas that schools must assess, including:
- internal systems
- infrastructure
- internal and external communication
- equipment
- the environment around the school
- fire risks
- drugs
- kidnapping
- gangs and other criminality
A safety audit therefore enables schools to take a proactive and structured approach to identifying risks early and addressing them before incidents occur. Instead of managing crises, schools are empowered to prepare for them.
“Our goal is to build resilient schools that are well prepared and less vulnerable to disruptions,” says Pieters.
Safety audits promote collaboration between schools, parents, local communities, private security and law enforcement agencies and create a shared responsibility to protect schools. Cape Forum calls on Cape school governing bodies, principals, parents and community role players to prioritise safety audits as a critical first step.
“The safety of learners and educators cannot be left to chance. Proactive planning, risk assessment and community collaboration are key to ensuring that schools remain places of learning,” concludes Pieters.
Contact Cape Forum at navrae@kaapseforum.co.za to find out more about this school safety audit.
