A Gauteng High Court settlement orders the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and education departments to strengthen implementation of the National Child Protection Register. The court action requires improved vetting procedures for all school staff to ensure that individuals listed on the register are identified and prevented from working with children. The order focuses on preventing unsuitable people from being employed or continuing in roles that involve contact with learners.
While the report describes the matter as a settlement, it results in formal directions aimed at tighter compliance with the child protection system. The DBE and relevant education departments are expected to adjust their processes so that screening checks are done effectively across the education sector, rather than only in limited or inconsistent ways. The settlement underscores the role of the Child Protection Register in child safety measures within schools and seeks to standardize and reinforce staff vetting nationwide within the education system.
