Teachers call for increased safety measures after colleague is gunned down

Durban — Teachers have called for increased safety measures after their colleague was shot dead in a school in Ntuzuma, Durban, on Monday morning.

The teacher was shot and killed at Phikiswayo Primary School.

Reacting to the incident, teachers called for safety measures at schools.

The teachers will not be named for their protection.

One teacher said: “For years we’ve been crying about security in our schools. This department only cares about media reports … zero interventions!”

Another teacher said the department keeps on saying “we condemn these actions”. The teacher asked why the department couldn’t introduce measures to combat these actions.

“We are not safe,” the teacher said.

A third teacher shared the same sentiments, saying they were not safe.

“School safety in this country doesn’t exist,” a fourth teacher said.

A fifth teacher said: “We are not protected at all by our so-called employer. I can’t wait to exit each day, you are not sure whether you’ll end the day ….”

Another teacher said: “When they talk about school safety, their focus is never on teachers but on bullying, signs, toilets etc. In some police stations the government deploys security guards, and in clinics and government offices, but not at schools. Incidents like this have been happening all the time but no one seems to be giving a damn about it except sending condolences and visiting the bereaved school and families.”

The last teacher said they needed well-trained security.

Teacher unions have also called for more security measures to be implemented.

Reacting to the incident, KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of a dedicated educator. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and school community during this devastating time.”

On Tuesday, the KwaZulu-Natal Education head Nkosinathi Ngcobo visited the school.