Rising violence: 96 teachers assaulted by learners in the Western Cape in 2025

As the 2025 school year has come to an end, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) reveals that 96 incidents of learner assaults on teachers were reported to Safe Schools between January and November this year - with nearly nine educators being assaulted per month.

In June, the Cape Argus brought the harrowing story of a teacher at St Andrews Technical High School in Elsies River where a Grade 12 learner allegedly gun-pointed her in the classroom and pulled the trigger thrice, revealing it was an imitation or replica.

This week the WCED confirmed that the learner had undergone disciplinary action while the teacher is battling for a transfer. The teacher facilitated her own mental health care via a psychologist and said she continues to suffer from anxiety and feels she is being victimised and her plight not heard.

The teacher, who is not allowed to speak with the media, spoke via a representative.

The incident took place in May whereby the learner gun-pointed the teacher inside the classroom.

"Despite the department's previous assurances, I have not been transferred to a different school as requested, and I have not received any communication regarding the status of my request. I am concerned that I am being subjected to victimisation and a hostile work environment," the teacher said via a representative.

"The principal made comments in a staff meeting indicating that he would like to get rid of me, which has created a very uncomfortable and intimidating atmosphere. I had previously informed him that I felt victimized, and unfortunately, his comments have validated my concerns."

Millicent Merton, spokesperson for the WCED said the matter involving the learner had been dealt with: "The school took disciplinary action against the learner who pointed a toy gun at the teacher."

In response to the claims that the transfer was not being attended to, Merton said it was a tedious process and that support was provided.

"A meeting was convened with the Circuit Manager, the teacher and her union representative to discuss the teacher's transfer request.

"The teacher was advised that there must be a suitable vacancy at a different school for a transfer to be considered. As no such vacancy was available at the time, the teacher was requested to indicate whether she was aware of any available post at another school. No such indication was provided.

"The Circuit Manager advised the teacher that support services were available through the Employee Wellness Programme. The teacher reportedly indicated that she will make use of her own support system."

Merton said incidents involving learners assaulting teachers were harrowing: "We had 96 incidents of learner assaults on teachers reported to Safe Schools between January and November this year." Any form of abuse on a teacher or on a learner is unacceptable.

"We appeal to parents of learners for their cooperation and support in managing their child's behaviour at schools. We need to work as a team to ensure safe learning environments.

"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."

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Cape Argus