Section27 backs Teddy Bear Foundation’s fight for safer schools

Legal advocacy group, Section27, has joined forces with the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children (TTBC) in a legal fight against government departments accused of failing to protect children in schools.

According to TTBC, some departments are failing children by not maintaining the National Child Protection Register.

The register, which was created under the Children’s Act, is meant to protect children from individuals guilty of child abuse, including sexual and physical abuse, like corporal punishment.

The failure to maintain the register means children are not protected, as these perpetrators still work in schools.

The legal application targets several state entities, including the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Social Development, and various provincial education departments.

A 2022 investigation by Section27 found that provincial education departments were not consistently checking the register during the hiring process, nor were they reporting abusive educators to the Department of Social Development to ensure the register was updated.

This systemic failure has allowed abusive individuals to slip through the cracks — continuing to work with children despite serious misconduct findings against them.

Speaking to YNews, Section27 Senior Legal Researcher, Tendai Mafuma, outlined their case currently before the High Court.

This is not the first time the Teddy Bear Foundation and Section 27 have come together to fight for children’s rights and safer schools.

Last year, both organisations made submissions and provided input on the Department of Education’s proposed amendments to the Children’s Act 38 of 2005.

Their latest legal challenge comes less than three weeks after the Eastern Cape made headlines over multiple cases of sexual abuse in schools.

At St John’s College, seven educators have been accused of sexually abusing learners, reportedly leading to several pregnancies. Meanwhile, at JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School, allegations of sexual harassment surfaced on social media.

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has since raised concerns about these incidents.

Several educators in the Eastern Cape have been placed on precautionary suspension. This as an investigation into sexual abuse of pupils by teachers, is underway. At St John’s College, seven educators stand accused of sexual abuse resulting in several pregnancies. #eNCA #DStv403… pic.twitter.com/eqmguNlVyl

— eNCA (@eNCA) September 29, 2025