The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said 12 learners at the Pretoria High School for Girls have been suspended over allegations of racism at the school.
According to spokesperson Steve Mabona, an investigation was launched to probe all the allegations, especially against school employees.
“According to information at our disposal, on Thursday, July 18, the school alerted the Tshwane South District about a planned protest by a group of learners scheduled for Friday, July 19.
“This was triggered by alleged racial connotations, micro-aggressions, and complaints about black learners, which were ventilated through a WhatsApp Group comprised of white learners.”
He said the conversations allegedly included racial commentary about the ongoing dissatisfaction among black learners regarding issues they faced at the school, alluding to these issues being insignificant.
“Similar commentary about a black hair protest by learners that reportedly took place at the school in 2016 was also made in the group chat.”
Mabona said an urgent meeting was facilitated on the same day as the planned protest, and aggrieved learners were given the opportunity to voice their grievances.
Also read: Lab tests still delayed after last month’s cyber attack
These grievances included:
- Alleged racism and a WhatsApp group created by, and consisting of, only white learners where alleged racial micro-aggressions were channelled about other learners.
- Alleged repeated instances of racism with little to no action taken by the principal.
- Alleged non-responsiveness by the principal in addressing reported cases of racism.
- Alleged bullying incidents not being addressed by the School Management Team
- Alleged preferential treatment of white learners by the principal and some staff members.
- Alleged selective application of the school code of conduct, with harsher treatment for black learners compared to white learners.
He added that the School Governing Body (SGB) immediately suspended all implicated learners, and their disciplinary hearing is scheduled to take place on July 30 and July 31.
“A school environment where racism and discrimination are prevalent, whether covert or subtle, compromises the right to education in a safe and equitable environment for all learners. Indeed, action must be taken against any conduct that threatens order and discipline at our institutions, especially conduct that undermines the dignity of learners.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely,” said Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation MEC Matome Chiloane.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
