Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education, Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Matome Chiloane has welcomed the recent suspension of twelve learners from the Pretoria School for Girls, following allegations of racism.
Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the school alerted the Tshwane South District about a planned protest by a group of learners, triggered by alleged racial connotations, micro-aggression and complaints about Black learners which were ventilated through a WhatsApp Group composed of white learners.
“The conversations allegedly included racial commentary about the ongoing dissatisfaction among Black learners regarding issues they faced at the school,” Mabona said.
Mabona confirmed that an urgent meeting was facilitated on the same day as the planned protest, with aggrieved learners being given the opportunity to voice their grievances.
Some of the allegations include: racism and a WhatsApp group created by, and consisting of, only white learners where racial microaggression were channelled about other learners; repeated instances of racism with little to no action taken by the principal; non-responsiveness by the principal in addressing reported cases of racism.
Also, allegations on incidents of bullying not being addressed by the School Management Team; preferential treatment of white learners by the principal and some staff members; and selective application of the school code of conduct, with harsher treatment given to Black learners compared to that meted out to white learners.
Mabona said the School Governing Body (SGB) confirmed the immediate suspension of all implicated learners and said the disciplinary hearing is scheduled to take place on 30 and 31 July.
He said the district launched an investigation to probe all mentioned allegations, especially against school employees.
MEC Chiloane said the department would continue to monitor the situation closely.
“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,” Chiloane said.
The MEC called for immediate and adequate response in order to prevent the continuation of racism within schools.
“Action must be taken against any conduct that threatens order and discipline at our institutions, especially conduct that undermines the dignity of learners,” he said.
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