The City of Ekurhuleni has welcomed Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) and Global Communications’ (GC) new school safety project. The project, which was launched on Friday, will be implemented in five schools in Etwatwa and Daveyton. 
 
The project is aimed at curbing violence, drug use and any other criminal activity on school grounds. Each school will receive five two-way radios, which are provided by GC. They will be distributed to pupils, security guards and principals.
 
The Gauteng Department of Education recently revealed that since the start of 2019, there have already been 187 cases of bullying and 107 of violence and assault in the province’s schools. Some of the worst affected schools are located in Ekurhuleni. 
 
“As a city we are proud to be the test area for this communications devise, this, in our observation, will address challenges in schools in creating the safe spaces and promote learners’ rights and protection…because at the touch of a button you can just call for help,” says Social Development’s Pauline Ngakane.
 
Ngakane says the devises will have a major impact during emergencies.  
 
“Safe schools, which are an ideal environment, it’s were there’s no harassment, there’s no bullying, there’s no violence and there are no cases of rape,” she adds. 
 
The partnership between GC and SCSA has been running since 2016. In 2017, the company visited several schools in Limpopo to present the Charlie initiative and support the Junior Student Commander Project. The Charlie initiative encourages pupils to save money from an early age and to use their savings for school projects, or personal use.
 
ENDS

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