Pretoria – In the wake of a number of incidents illustrating the levels of bullying and other criminal behaviour in schools, the Gauteng Department of Education has launched a crime line for learners to report crime.
The department has joined forces with Crime Line and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a bid to equip learners with safe and reliable tools to report criminal activities and social issues in provincial schools.
The “Young Crime Liners” initiative was launched at Mosupatsela Secondary School in Kagiso on the West Rand on Wednesday.
Addressing learners at the school, Education MEC Barbara Creecy said: “We are here today to ensure that crime has no place in our schools. We want you to report any form of violence, whether it be bullying, physical and sexual assault and corporal punishment in your school.”
She said the department recognised that it had a responsibility to continually work towards a school environment in which learners, educators and school principals feel and are safe.
“The launch of the Young Crime Liners indicates our commitment to ensuring learning and teaching takes place in a safe environment, free from violence. The police can’t be everywhere, but you are there and you have a lot of information about criminal activity.”
She hoped the initiative will empower learners to seek help and report crime happening in schools.
The initiative comes after a number of incidents that have dominated social media networks over the past week. Gauteng was rocked recently with videos that went viral of a Grade 8 Glenvista learner attacking a teacher and the assault of a teen by two fellow pupils at Hoërskool Overkruin in Pretoria. This was coupled with the news of a Hyde Park teacher that is believed to have been sexually grooming a teenager over a number of months.
Also, a firearm was recently discovered at the school where the Young Crime Liners initiative was launched.
Head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee, said there had been a number of videos that had gone viral and stories dominating headlines of a variety of crimes perpetrated by or against children at schools in the province.
“They range from cases of sexual abuse, bullying, drug dealing and violence. Unfortunately these cases go mainly unreported with tragic consequences,” he said.
“The Young Crime Liners initiative aims to empower learners with tools to break the silence around criminal and social issues that they face on a daily basis. It is also open to parents, educators and other members of the public to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children.”
Crime Line’s anonymous 32211 SMS service, which costs R1 and Crime Stop’s 08600 10111 are open to Young Crime Liners to report crime without revealing their identity.
Tip-offs that refer to criminal behaviour will be dealt with by the police, while problems requiring social interventions will be escalated to the relevant support structures.
The project was inspired by Lead SA’s Bill of Responsibilities initiative, which forms part of the Life Orientation curriculum in schools.
The initiative will be absorbed into schools over the coming months as the Young Crime Liners programme will visit schools across the province.
Feedback and suggestions can be directed to info@crimeline.co.za. For the latest updates and alerts on #CrimeLiners follow @CrimeLineZA, @SAPoliceService and @EducationGP on Twitter. – SAnews.gov.za
