Gwarube urges pupils to speak up against violence
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says school safety programs will only be successful with the help of pupils who speak up when they experience violence and bullying.
The minister was speaking at the closing of the three-day leaner-leadership summit in Benoni Friday morning, where she told the pupils, who also serve as junior councilors, to stand against discrimination, gender-based violence, and bullying.
She encouraged them to stand up for each other and shape a school culture that they would like to see.
“That’s why we say: ‘If you see something, say something.’ Stand up for one another. Speak out. Be the reason someone feels safe coming to school,” the Minister said.
“As learner leaders, you help shape your school’s culture. You set the tone. You show others what respect looks like. You build a school where everyone feels they belong.”
Earlier this week, alongside Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in Cape Town, Gwarube launched a Safe Schools Protocol Program amid growing concerns of learner-on-learner violence in the country as well as incidents of sexual violence.
“We can all agree that you can’t learn or grow if you don’t feel safe. That’s why, just three days ago, I signed a Safe Schools Protocol with the Minister of Police. Together, we’re working to make sure that schools are safe places free from bullying, drugs, gangsterism, and violence,” said Gwarube.
She also encouraged pupils to embrace leadership in their communities — saying that leadership is not determined by age.
“But all over South Africa, I see young people rising to the challenge. You’re tutoring your peers, cleaning riverbanks, planting food gardens, and organising events. You’re proving that leadership is not about age, it’s about action.”
“I want to encourage you to keep using your voice to connect what happens at school to what’s needed in your communities. Local government doesn’t belong only to adults; it belongs to you too.”
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