Teacher unions are expressing concern over the safety of both teachers and learners as schools nationwide become battlefields. The unions said there had been an alarming rise in violent attacks on teachers and learners.

Last year crime stats indicated that 19 murders were committed at educational facilities across the country.

The Public Servants Association of South Africa's (PSA) acting assistant general manager, Claude Naicker, said many incidents of school violence go unreported unless broadcasted on social media.