Summary of the Story:
- Gauteng Education Department conducts disciplinary hearings at Pretoria High School for Girls.
- Twelve pupils accused of racism after offensive WhatsApp messages.
- EFF and ANC members protest outside the school amid the controversy.
- Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane visits the school.
- Allegations of racism, bullying, and preferential treatment of white pupils are under investigation.
The Gauteng Education Department conducted disciplinary hearings on Tuesday at Pretoria High School for Girls, where twelve pupils were accused of sharing offensive messages about their black classmates in a WhatsApp group.
Gauteng Education holds first day of disciplinary hearings
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The hearings, set to continue on Wednesday, aimed to address allegations that the school’s management failed to take appropriate action against repeated instances of racism.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the allegations against the principal and teachers would be reviewed pending the investigation’s outcome.
The grievances included claims of bullying and preferential treatment of white pupils.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane visited the school on Tuesday to oversee the proceedings and ensure that due process was followed.
Gauteng EFF pickets outside Pretoria Girls High amid racism row
Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and African National Congress (ANC) gathered outside Pretoria High School for Girls on Tuesday to protest against ongoing racial discrimination at the institution.
The protests were sparked by the discovery of a “Whites Only” WhatsApp group, where white students allegedly made derogatory remarks about their black peers.
The EFF Gauteng released a statement condemning the persistent racism at the school, highlighting the lack of accountability and action from the school’s management.
“It is evident that racism continues to permeate the culture of Pretoria Girls High School unabated. Since the 2016 protest, when Black learners challenged the school’s discriminatory code of conduct regarding natural Black hair, little has been done to address systemic issues within the school,” the statement read.
The statement also criticised the government’s superficial approach to addressing systemic racism in education.
“Racism remains institutionalised in South Africa, evident in economic, political, and social spaces. Racism still defines land ownership patterns, banking and financial sector ethos, workplaces, and persists in apartheid-era legislation that still guide judicial decisions today. These young White learners are merely reflecting and perpetuating existing societal norms ingrained in their upbringing,” the EFF added.
EFF Gauteng called for harsh accountability measures against the school management and urged the Human Rights Commission of South Africa to take a more active role in addressing racism in schools.
