Nature of safety and security in public secondary schools of Matlosana area office : public management perspective

Abstract

The title of this research is: “The nature of safety and security in public secondary schools”. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to determine the nature of safety and security in public secondary schools of Matlosana Area Office’s (AO) area of responsibility, with a view to developing a more comprehensive set of recommendations on how to improve the safety and security policy – to the benefit of educators, learners and visitors to school premises. The study was carried out in the North West Province’s department of Education. An empirical research was conducted to gather data from the respondents regarding the safety and security of educators, learners and visitors in public secondary schools of the Matlosana Area Office’s area of responsibility. The target groups were the AO Manager, the Safety Co-ordinator, the Safety Officer, the School Management Teams, educators, learners, School Governing Bodies and Adopt-a-Cop members. The investigation also analysed the extent to which public secondary schools are complying with the statutory and regulatory frameworks governing safety and security. The study employed a quantitative approach, using a structured questionnaire. In this study, the research is concluded with a presentation of the findings. Amongst others, it was found that some learners carry dangerous objects on school premises, because the Adopt-a-Cop programme is not effectively implemented. Conclusions were drawn on the basis of the findings; and finally, recommendations for further research were suggested.