Alarming Stats: Nearly 3% of South African School Staff Flagged for Criminal Activity
Newly released data has revealed that almost 3% of school staff in South Africa have been flagged for criminal activity, raising serious concerns over student safety and the effectiveness of employee screening procedures. The report, compiled by TPN, a leading background screening provider, covers the period between March 2024 and February 2025. While slightly lower than the previous year, the findings point to a persistent gap in safeguarding processes across the country’s education sector.
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1 in 34 School Employees Has a Criminal Record
According to Ashleigh Laurent, Legal Counsel at TPN, 2.95% of school staff screened during this period had criminal records — equating to roughly 1 in every 34 individuals. Importantly, this figure includes not only teachers but also temporary hires, grounds staff, coaches, and other personnel with access to children.
While the figure marks a slight drop from the 3.08% recorded the year before, it remains disturbingly high. The offenses flagged range from theft and assault to more severe crimes, including drug trafficking and even murder.
Top Crimes Among School Staff
The breakdown of convictions reveals the most common offenses:
- Assault: 23.17%
- Drug trafficking: 12.2%
- Housebreaking: 3.66%
- Murder: 2.44%
Even though sexual offenses decreased from 2.63% in 2022 to 1.22%, their presence in school environments remains a serious red flag. “The protection of children cannot be compromised,” Laurent stated, urging continuous and comprehensive pre-employment vetting.
Pending Trials Highlight More Risk
TPN also highlighted that 1.06% of school employees screened are currently awaiting trial, meaning they face charges but haven’t been convicted yet. Common pending offenses include:
- Road traffic violations (30.56%)
- Assault (19.44%)
- Theft (15%)
- Reckless driving (5.56%)
- Malicious damage to property (2.78%)
While awaiting-trial individuals are legally presumed innocent, the nature of these charges raises concern — particularly in school environments where safety and trust are non-negotiable.
Are Schools Meeting Legal Vetting Standards?
By law, all schools are obligated to screen staff against both the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) and Part B of the National Child Protection Register. These checks are essential under the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act (SORMAA).
Moreover, educators registering with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) must submit a police clearance certificate no older than six months. Failure to comply with these measures can lead to civil and criminal liability, along with long-term reputational damage for schools.
SORMAA also mandates that individuals must disclose past sexual offense convictions, whether or not the offense occurred during employment. However, despite these requirements, enforcement gaps remain — particularly among long-serving staff who were hired before modern screening protocols were implemented.
A Slight Improvement — But Not Enough
The drop in sexual offense-related convictions is a sign that tighter screening is starting to work. But TPN warns that even small percentages represent significant risks when children’s lives and well-being are involved. Early intervention and consistent enforcement are key to reducing risks and maintaining safe learning environments.
Key takeaway
With nearly 3% of school staff flagged for criminal activity, South Africa’s education system must urgently strengthen its screening procedures. Schools need to conduct regular background checks, follow legal protocols, and prioritize transparency to protect their learners. The safety of children in educational spaces is non-negotiable — and it starts with knowing who we allow through the school gates.