Picture: Supplied
The Gauteng Provincial Government is launching a massive community outreach project this week to tackle reported growing issues of violence, drugs, and vandalism in local schools.
The initiative, named the “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” programme, is a joint effort between the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR). Led by MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, the two-month campaign will travel across all 15 school districts in the province, hosting 46 community meetings to create direct conversations between government leaders and local residents.
According to the department, the roadshow is scheduled to officially begin tomorrow with the first meetings taking place in Tsakane and Geluksdal in the Gauteng East district. “The main goal of the outreach programme is to find immediate, practical solutions to major problems that disrupt teaching and learning. These include learner safety, school vandalism, substance abuse, and community crime,” said Maile.
He emphasised that the government cannot fix these problems alone. He said that creating strong partnerships between schools, families, and local organisations is the only way to make lasting changes.”By thinking outside the box and putting the efforts, talents, and skills of government with those of our various stakeholders, I am confident that we can overcome the challenges facing our schools,” he said.
Maile explained that by working closely with local neighbourhoods, the department wants to bring accountability back to the education sector and place community development at the centre of society. The department called on all sectors of society to stop sitting on the sidelines and actively attend the upcoming meetings.
“The programme is specifically targeting a wide group of local leaders and organisations to ensure everyone has a voice. This includes youth formations, taxi associations, religious leaders, ward councillors, School Governing Bodies (SGBs), community forums, and sporting structures,” the MEC said.
He said the department hopes that these face-to-face discussions will help residents take ownership of their local schools and work as partners to create a safer learning environment for South African children. Upcoming Community Outreach Schedule Gauteng East: Tuesday, 19 May 2026 | 13:00 – 16:00 | Faranani Multipurpose Centre, Modjadji St, Tsakane, Brakpan | Areas: Geluksdal, Tsakane
Wednesday, 20 May 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 | W.J Mpengesi Primary School, 1850 Ikageng St, Etwatwa, Benoni | Areas: Etwatwa Ekurhuleni North:Thursday, 21 May 2026 | 09:00 – 12:00 | Tlamatlama Primary School, Jabu Mdunge St, Tembisa | Areas: Tembisa
Thursday, 21 May 2026 | 13:00 – 16:00 | Kempton Park Customer Care Centre, C.R. Swart Road and Pretoria Road, Kempton Park | Areas: Edenvale, Kempton Park, Birchleigh, Elandsfontein Saturday, 23 May 2026 | 09:00 – 12:00 | Lesiba Secondary School, 5643 Matthewson St, Daveyton, Benoni | Areas: Daveyton
