According to TPN Credit Bureau, more than half of teachers and school staff who were screened did not declare their criminal records. (MILATAS/Getty Images)
More than 3.3% of staff members screened at schools in 2023, including teachers, sports coaches and administrative and grounds staff, either had criminal convictions or were awaiting trial for murder, rape, theft, fraud, abduction and assault.
And more than half of them did not declare these criminal records, according to TPN Credit Bureau’s legal counsel, Ashleigh Laurent.
Prospective and existing employees were screened against the National Register for Sex Offenders and the Child Protection Register, which are respectively kept by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as well as the Department of Social Development.
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