KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – An estimated 1 in 3 South African children experience physical violence or online abuse before turning 18. This reality places urgent pressure on schools to respond effectively.
Trulife, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, launched Safe to Learn. This intensive four-hour training programme equips teachers to identify and address abuse.
The programme began in February 2026. Since then, it has trained over 360 teachers across KwaZulu-Natal.
Participating schools include New Forest High School, Adams College, Kwamakhuta High School, Centenary Secondary School, Westridge LSEN School, Alexandra High School, and St. Anthony’s Primary School.
Equipping Teachers with Practical Skills
The training gives educators clear, practical tools. Teachers learn how to:
- Identify warning signs of abuse
- Respond to learner disclosures
- Follow proper reporting procedures
- Build safer classroom environments
Nancy Strauss, Managing Director of Trulife and course facilitator, highlighted the gap in teacher training:
“As someone who worked in education for 12 years, I have seen how little time schools spend on these critical topics. Teachers need these skills. They can save lives.”
The programme revealed a major gap in schools. More than 80% of participating educators had witnessed abuse or gender-based violence. However, only 42% felt confident handling or reporting these cases before the training.
After completing the programme:
- 89% said the training improved their practical skills significantly
- 81% rated the course 8 out of 10 or higher
The South African Council for Educators (SACE) accredits the programme. Educators earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points when they complete it.
Expert-Led, Multi-Sector Approach
The training also draws on expertise from across sectors, including school leadership, legal advisors from the Department of Education, clinical psychologists from the Department of Health, social workers, and representatives from the National Prosecuting Authority’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs unit.
Hazel Francis, Chief Legal Advisor for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, emphasised the programme’s importance:“Courses like this not only capacitate our educators, but also empower them to act in the best interests of our learners—which must always remain our priority.”
Educators who attended the training described it as both practical and transformative:
“We are in loco-parentus. These learners have rights, so we need to protect those rights. We must promote justice”.
“As teachers, we need to be vigilant, respect our learners, and be brave enough to report every matter that comes to us”.
“It was especially helpful to learn how teachers should respond to disclosures in a calm, supportive, and trauma-informed way while maintaining professional boundaries. The course also highlighted the importance of safeguarding as a proactive responsibility for all teachers to ensure that learners feel safe, protected, and supported at school”.
With safeguarding challenges on the rise, initiatives like Safe to Learn aim to close critical gaps in educator training and ensure that schools are safer, more supportive environments for all learners. Schools and education stakeholders interested in implementing the Safe to Learn programme are encouraged to contact Trulife for further information.
For more information on our “Safe To Learn” programme click here.
