Education is adversely affected by the loss of learning and teaching time due to safety related problems in schools. School management teams (SMTs) thus need to create proper plans to achieve the desired outcomes or set objectives for a safe learning environment. The Department of Education needs to acknowledge the urgency of providing practical training for all SMTs and educators upgrading their knowledge and skills in safety. An interpretative research paradigm was used to unravel how the participants (n=9) have created their reality regarding school safety challenges in rural environments. The Domino Theory is the theoretical lens that was used in this study. The improper attitude from the DoE regarding safety implementation and monitoring and support tools; improper attitude of the SMTs and educators regarding their role in safety issues and the physical unsuitability of the infrastructure of some schools creates confusion in safety management. In order to improve safety issues in South African schools, urgent training on safety management, implementation and control is required by safety experts hired by the DoE, thereafter ongoing on-line platforms for dealing with relevant unsafe situations at school should be easily accessible to all educators and interested parents, councilors, psychologists and safety officials. Communities of Practice with a focus on school safety should be held quarterly and attended by SMTs and school governing body officials.

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