KZN Education to step up school safety
The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department says it will continue to monitor the employment of teachers to ensure those with previous sexual offence convictions do not work with children.
The comment comes after 50-year-old Colin Chapman was sentenced to three years in prison for being in possession of child pornography as well as the grooming and exploitation of children for the production of child pornography.
Chapman who was charged with 230 counts pleaded guilty in the Durban Regional Court last week.
It emerged that Chapman who was employed at a prominent Durban boys high school had previously been convicted of indecent assault in 2003 for an incident dating back some 20 years prior.
The court further ordered that he be entered into the sexual offenders register.
Education's Muzi Mahlambi says the department plan to do thorough checks before employing teachers to ensure safety for pupils.
''Before we were not as vigilant as we are now, however moving forward before we employ anyone we are going to check whether they have criminal records and which type of crime they committed to determine the affects it will have should they get the job in the department,'' he said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)