Teacher safety crisis: 50 teachers assaulted in 2025

In a disturbing trend that has gripped schools across the province, a staggering total of 50 incidents of learner assaults on teachers have been recorded since January, translating to nearly 10 assaults per month.

Just last week, police were called to investigate an incident at Manenberg High School, where a teacher was allegedly assaulted with a brick by a grade 9 learner.

It is understood that after a school break, some learners jumped over the school fence and the brick was then thrown by one of the learners, hitting the teacher. 

Police have confirmed that a counter case has been opened by the learner's parents, claiming he was then assaulted by the teacher.

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said they called on the support of parents and guardians in the growing crisis at schools.

“There are over 1.2 million learners in the system, but 50 incidents of verbal and/or physical assault is 50 too many.

"While the majority of our learners show respect and value their teachers, there are learners that show disrespect towards them,” said Hammond.

“Sadly, we have had 50 incidents of learner assaults on teachers reported to Safe Schools in 2025.

"This includes incidents of verbal and/or physical assault."

Hammond said teachers were given additional training on how to deal with behavioural issues.

“Our district psycho-social support teams provide training and workshops within our schools to help teachers deal with stressful classroom situations and manage problem behaviour.

“Requests for support are made by schools through the department’s support pathway. Online resources are also available to provide guidance and tips for teachers to use in the classroom.”

A Stellenbosch University (SU) study in December 2024 on South African teacher preferences and job satisfaction showed that half of in-service teachers desired to leave the profession within 10 years, primarily due to being overworked (high workload and administrative burden).

The study further indicated that discipline and behavioral issues, particularly in townships and no-fee schools, were highlighted as significant challenges hindering effective teaching, with some teachers recounting instances of extreme disruptive behavior and lack of control.

One teacher shared her experience during the study: “I’m actually on maternity leave at the moment, but just before I left and was heavily pregnant I literally had to (hold back) the child to get the brick out of his hands so he wouldn’t hit someone else. And the other teachers were just staring, wide eyed.”

Risuna Nkuna of the South African Council for Educators (SACE) shared The Teachers’ Safety and Security in African Schools handbook.

The handbook, from 2025, noted that a survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council found that 20% of South Africa’s teachers believe that schools are violent places and suspect their students and colleagues are armed. 

“Educators are among those professional groups that are at high risk of becoming victims of violence.

"The school should provide support to educators who become victims of violence at the workplace.

"Educators often hesitate to report violence they experience to the school administration, as they fear that disclosing violence could have negative effects on their career or they feel shame about not being able to control a violent situation. Schools should consider establishing easily-accessible support mechanisms for educators,” it read. 

Hammond added that positive classroom discipline practices must acknowledge the fact that behaviour is a barrier to learning that is motivated by unmet needs. 

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“Thousands of learners and teachers are reached through well-being promotion interventions and one-on-one sessions dealing with anxiety, bereavement, depression, abuse and trauma.

“Sessions on 'trauma-informed schools' and emotional first aid training also reached thousands of teachers across the province.”

Cape Argus