Johannesburg: Catholic leaders in Southern Africa have raised deep concern over a growing number of violent incidents reported in schools across the region and called for urgent action from authorities and communities to protect students and teachers.

The appeal was made by the National Catholic Board of Education together with the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference Justice and Peace Commission. In their statement, the leaders described the attacks as a serious threat to the safety and future of children and said the situation can no longer be ignored.

According to the statement, schools in South Africa have seen an alarming increase in cases of rape, murder and physical attacks. Reports also show that more than eleven thousand school burglaries occurred over the past year. In the Western Cape province alone, at least 454 assault cases involving weapons were recorded during the current academic year.

The Catholic leaders said recent incidents such as the killing of a school principal and an administrative assistant have shocked communities, yet many of these tragedies are quickly forgotten. They described this pattern as a national moral failure and warned that such violence weakens trust in the education system and damages the wellbeing of children.

The Church leaders called for a coordinated national plan to make schools safe. They urged the government, law enforcement agencies, church groups, community leaders and civil society to work together. Their recommendations include improved school security, trained school safety personnel and stronger investment in programs that protect learners and teachers.

They added that this issue demands more than temporary solutions. They said violence in schools reflects deeper problems in society, including community instability and lack of support systems for young people. The leaders asked citizens to treat schools as places of peace, where education and human dignity are respected.

The National Catholic Board of Education said it is ready to partner with communities and officials to help create safer learning environments. The statement also encouraged local churches to pray for peace and support families affected by school violence.
The bishops concluded by saying that restoring safety in schools must be a national priority because the future of children cannot be at risk.