Are Your School’s Contact Details Putting Safety at Risk?
Independent Security Risk Assessor – In a country where crime is a daily reality, reliable communication is essential, especially for schools. Yet, our recent findings reveal a serious breakdown in basic contact systems that could prevent critical security information from ever reaching decision-makers. At Alwinco, we conducted a case study to see how accessible schools really are, and the results were deeply concerning.
If you are responsible for your school’s safety, we urge you to take action. Contact us at andre@alwinco.co.za, visit our website, or arrange a Teams meeting or phone call. We are here to help you assess your risks before it’s too late.
A Wake-Up Call for Safety Communication in South Africa
Crime is a daily threat in South Africa, and schools are not exempt. Learners and educators face growing risks, from violence and theft to vandalism and unauthorized access. In this environment, effective communication should be a basic requirement. Yet, our recent findings show that many schools are completely inaccessible through the only contact method they make public.
At Alwinco, we conducted a study to assess how reachable schools are when it comes to security-related information.
We sent emails to 120 schools using publicly listed addresses, typically found on websites or directories in formats like admin@school.co.za or info@school.co.za. These email addresses are meant to provide a connection point for parents, the public, and professionals offering valuable input.
We did not endorse any products or services.
We aimed to introduce the concept and importance of independent security risk assessments to schools. These assessments are not linked to any sales or contracts. They exist to offer an honest, unbiased view of real vulnerabilities, along with practical recommendations for improvement. The results of our outreach were deeply concerning. Of the 120 emails sent, only 35 were successfully delivered. The remaining 85 were returned as undeliverable. This means that more than 70 percent of the schools we contacted could not be reached.
This is not a minor issue. It is a serious failure in communication.
When schools cannot be reached through the only digital contact point they provide, it becomes impossible to share critical safety information. In an emergency or crisis, the consequences could be severe. A concerned parent, authority figure, or professional trying to reach the school might have no way to get through, and in most cases, there is no backup plan in place. This is not about a broken link or a forgotten inbox. It reflects a broader lack of accountability and planning. Schools have a responsibility to ensure their public-facing communication channels are working, monitored, and reliable. This is a simple yet vital task that requires no advanced systems or costly technology—just attention, consistency, and commitment.
Every school should urgently review and test the contact information they publish.
Ensure the school receives all emails, and assign someone to monitor the inbox regularly. These small steps could significantly improve timing and clarity. Our intention was to initiate a dialogue about improving safety in schools. In most cases, we found that the door to that conversation remains firmly closed.
We cannot support and protect schools if we are unable to communicate with them. Communication is the foundation of all safety measures. Without effective communication, safety efforts fall apart before they even begin.
Schools are not the only institutions facing this problem, and it is important to acknowledge that.
The issue of poor communication extends well beyond the education sector. However, given what is at stake, schools must take the lead in ensuring their accessibility. The safety of both children and staff depends on effective communication.
Article written by Andre Mundell. Independent Security Risk Assessor.
# Independent Security Risk Assessor Schools
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