The Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) has called on Catholic schools “to continue to make child safeguarding a priority,” and “to ensure adequate resources are in place and that the requirements of the policy are ensured.”

In a statement in observance of Child Protection Week, the CIE says the revised National Child Safeguarding Policy “to keep God’s children safe” must be prioritised due to “the high levels of violence in South Africa and the impact this has, not only on learners but teachers and communities as well.”

The CIE also calls on Catholic schools to provide forums to address “the Mental Health needs of school communities” and the accessibility to psychosocial support.