Gauteng High Court: No 66% Vetting Gap for Public School Staff by March 2027

• Over 300,000 public school staff remain unchecked for child abuse records.
• The deadline to complete vetting is just seven months away, on 31 March 2027.
• A court-backed settlement agreement requires all public school employees to be vetted against Part B of the National Child Protection Register.
• The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria made the settlement agreement by order, requiring all parties involved to adhere to its terms.

According to a settlement agreement reached in August, all public school employees must be vetted against Part B of the National Child Protection Register by 31 March 2027.

The Department of Basic Education is facing an unprecedented challenge as it struggles to close a staggering 66% vetting gap for child abuse records. This means that over 300,000 public school staff remain unchecked, leaving them vulnerable to allegations of misconduct. The deadline to complete the vetting process is just seven months away, and schools are racing against time to comply with the court-mandated requirements. According to a settlement agreement reached in August, all public school employees must be vetted against Part B of the National Child Protection Register by 31 March 2027.

The issue of unvetted staff is not new. In 2015, a 12-year-old girl was raped by a school caretaker who continued working at the school for seven years before being dismissed. The perpetrator was only placed on the National Child Protection Register in 2023 after repeated follow-ups by organisations. This incident sparked a legal challenge brought by SECTION27 on behalf of the Teddy Bear Foundation, which led to the court-backed settlement agreement requiring education and social development authorities to comply with their constitutional and statutory duties to protect children from sexual predators in schools.

Lawyers advising public schools on compliance with the court-mandated deadline will need to review the settlement agreement carefully. They must ensure that their clients are meeting the required timelines and taking necessary steps to vet staff against Part B of the National Child Protection Register. Failure to comply could have serious consequences, including reputational damage and potential legal action. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria made the settlement agreement by order, requiring all parties involved to adhere to its terms.

Lawyers advising schools on compliance with the court-mandated deadline to vet public school staff against the National Child Protection Register may need to review the settlement agreement and ensure their clients are meeting the required timelines.

Source: Original reporting via Daily Maverick