KZN education department probes allegations of racism at Danville
This comes after a number of allegations surfaced on social media more than a week ago by past and current pupils who say they have faced discrimination at the school.
KWAZULU-Natal Department of Education spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, has confirmed the department is probing allegations of racism leveled at Danville Park Girls’ High School (DPGHS).
This comes after a number of allegations surfaced on social media more than a week ago by past and current pupils who say they have faced discrimination at the school.
A petition was also started calling for an end to racism saying ‘people of colour deserve equal and fair treatment’ at the school. So far the petition has had more than 740 signatures where pupils call out various forms of racism and bigotry.
“THE MEC for education in the province visited the school last week and we have established a task team to investigate the allegations. We have also roped in the SA Human Rights Commission to help in this matter. As the department our role is to not only protect learners from becoming victims of racism but we also have a duty to educate perpetrators of racism. We are guided by the constitution in this regard and we want to reiterate that discrimination will not be accepted,” Mahlambi said.
He added the department would be treating the school with the same approach as Durban Girls’ College (DCG) where allegations of racism recently surfaced.
In a statement to Northglen News, the school governing body said they were ‘devastated by the allegations that incidents of racism have taken place at the school’.
“Neither the school governing body (SGB), the school principal nor any representative of DPGHS condones any form of racism or discriminatory behaviour towards any person connected to the school. The school’s policies on this are clear and we are vigilant and agile in dealing with any reports of racist conduct within the school community. At this stage, the messages circulating on social media are mere allegations and not proven to be factually correct. These allegations are being taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly.
“If the allegations are proven to be correct, the person(s) responsible for the alleged racism, will be dealt with according to the prescripts of the applicable disciplinary protocol and held accountable in terms of the law against discriminatory behaviour. The school acknowledges the real pain that racism in all its forms causes, and that our learners and people connected to the school, are hurting,” the statement read.
The SGB added a committee has been established to investigate and address any forms of racism.
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