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EC Education Department Fails to Protect Learners Against Sexual Harassment

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Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is appalled by the Eastern Cape Department of Education’s ongoing failure to implement a comprehensive sexual harassment policy to protect learners despite the urgent resolution passed by the Provincial Legislature last year.

This negligence continues to put our learners at risk, and the recent suspension of a teacher accused of inappropriate conduct at Queenstown Girl’s High School tragically highlights the need for such a policy.

We are also aware of attempts by certain individuals to hijack the issue at the school by turning it into a race debate. The DA unequivocally condemns these divisive tactics, as they detract from the core issue—the safety and well-being of our learners. The matter at hand concerns inappropriate conduct, and shifting the focus to race does nothing but undermine the pursuit of justice.

We must be careful not to allow these distractions to derail the investigation. The case has been brought to the attention of the MEC of Education, Fundile Gade, and its merits are still being determined. We urge all individuals to allow due process to take place without interference or prejudgment.

In June 2023, DA Chief Whip Yusuf Cassim tabled a motion in the Eastern Cape Legislature, calling for the department to draft and implement a specific sexual harassment policy for schools. The motion, which was passed unanimously, was in response to alarming reports of sexual harassment by educators across the province. However, despite this clear directive, the department has failed to act.

The department’s failure is not merely an administrative lapse. It is a gross dereliction of duty that has left learners exposed to further harm. For over a year, learners across the province have remained vulnerable, with no proper framework in place for them to report incidents or to protect them from further abuse or victimisation for coming forward.

The department’s lack of urgency raises serious concerns about its commitment to safeguarding our children, particularly young women, who remain disproportionately affected by sexual harassment in schools.

I will write to the Speaker of the Legislature, Helen Sauls August, to request that MEC Gade provide a written explanation for this unacceptable delay, as per rule 203 of the House. The MEC’s continued inaction in protecting learners should no longer be tolerated.

I will also write to MEC Gade directly to request that his department urgently draft, finalise, and roll out a comprehensive sexual harassment policy in consultation with Gender-Based Violence (GBV) organisations and stakeholders. This policy must specifically address the school environment, ensuring learners have a safe, structured way to report misconduct without fear of victimisation.
The department’s inability to prioritise the safety of learners must end. Schools should be safe environments where learners are nurtured and protected, not places where they are preyed upon.

The DA will continue to fight for full accountability and the immediate implementation of the sexual harassment policy to safeguard learners across the province. We will not rest until the department fulfils its responsibility to protect the future of our children.

Regards

Horatio Hendricks MPL
DA Shadow MEC for Education

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