Government condemns racism in schools
This follows the recent allegations of racism at Curro Roodeplaat, a private school in Tshwane.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Following the recent allegations of racism at Curro Roodeplaat, a private school in Tshwane, where black and white students are placed in separate classrooms, Premier Makhura said he was deeply concerned about the incidents of racism in schools and promised to pay serious attention to allegations presented to the provincial government.
“We condemn racism and all other forms of discrimination. Such incidents are a threat to our social cohesion agenda and will not be tolerated in this democratic dispensation.
“We will be working very closely with institutions such as the Human Rights Commission and the civil society to eradicate this scourge,” said Premier Makhura, after receiving a detailed update on the reported incidents of racial discrimination in Gauteng schools.
The Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi visited Curro Roodeplaat Foundation School on Monday February 2 to meet with the management of the school and address the matter.
According to The Pretoria News, MEC Panyaza Lesufi has threatened to de-register any private or independent school that is found to be racist.
The Gauteng government is in the process of compiling a comprehensive plan to address all forms of discrimination, including xenophobia. Premier Makhura will elaborate on this plan during his forthcoming State of the Province Address on Monday February 23.
Speaking to Pretoria News, Lesufi said: “As from tomorrow, no child, especially a grade R child, will feel that because of the colour of skin he or she is inferior. There will be no child that will be discriminated on the basis of culture.
If people worry about children being traumatised if they are moved to other classes, it is bias. Why is it that the trauma of other children is not taken into consideration?”
