The Western Cape Education Department's Safe Schools Call Centre has now established a telephone line. The aim is to assist educators and learners to teach and learn in a safe, crime free, school environment. The centre forms part of the Safe Schools Programme.

The Call Centre's toll-free telephone number is:

      0800 45 46 47

We would appreciate your co-operation in reporting the following matters:

  • Arson
  • Assaults
  • Burglaries
  • Corporal punishment
  • Fraudulent school reports
  • Killings (gang- or traffic-related)
  • Robberies
  • Shootings
  • Vandalism
  • Hijackings
  • Drug abuse
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Abuse of learners and educators
  • Rape
  • Sexual harassment
  • Teacher abuse
  • Any other form of abuse

The following procedures should be used when reporting vandalism or burglaries or any of the above-mentioned incidents:

  • Contact a police station

  • Obtain a case number

  • Inform the area office and the circuit manager

  • Fax a report to Safe Schools at  021 674 2342  or  021 403 6331,  giving details of:

    1. The number of items stolen
    2. Damage to buildings
    3. Means of entry
    4. Whether there is an alarm system in the
      • Administration block
      • Classrooms
    5. Whether the alarm is in working order and connected to an armed response company.


Information line

The Call Centre also provides an information line on the following:

  • Abortion
  • Alcoholism
  • Drug abuse
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Racism
  • Teenage pregnancies


What service does the Call Centre provide?

Access:

The toll-free line will be open from Mondays to Fridays between 8:00 am and 7:30 pm. Weekend calls will be recorded and responded to on Monday mornings.

Language preference:

Call Centre operators will be able to speak to you in Afrikaans or English or Xhosa

Referral agency:

We provide initial on-line counselling for callers who need help. The Centre also acts as a referral agency for trauma counselling, assualts, rape and teenage runaways.

Networking:

The Centre currently networks with the Department of Welfare, psychologists and other relevant service providers in an attempt to create a safe learning environment at schools.

 

We would be grateful if you would inform your learners, educators and parents about the services of the Safe Schools Call Centre.



SIGNED:
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: