Parents whose children attend Cornwall Hill College are expected to hold a demonstration outside the school, on Monday, to assert their demand for the axing of the principal.
Cornwall Hill College protests: What are parents demanding?
Tensions at the Centurion college have remained palpable since 2019, when former pupils of the school penned a 53-page dossier, detailing sordid details of an alleged systemic racist environment.
Pupils from the past and present described disturbing racial encounters in the petition, from the casual use of racist remarks to segregatory policies.
According to parents, 2019’s demonstrations have not yielded any change. Parents allege that out of a workforce of 66 teachers, only five are black. Pupils are allegedly split into lines at tuckshops and assemblies, based on the colour of their skin.
“We’ve noticed that the intake for black learners is also significantly low so it appears as though there is a system in place by the school stakeholders to hinder and derail efforts to transform and ensure our children are in an inclusive and diverse environment,” one parent told IOL News.
On Monday, parents will use their voices to demand change and Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesuif will be expected to make an appearance at Cornwall Hill College to mitigate the situation.
In a statement, the MEC said:
“We are informed that some parents have made allegations of racism against the school, to the extent that some have engaged in peaceful protest outside the school to voice their displeasure. The MEC’s visit coincides with the protest by concerned parents, and he would want to intervene and make sure that all are happy after the engagement.”
These are the latest developments from outside the college, on Monday morning:
#CornwallHill We are live from Cornwall Hill College where learners and parents are protesting over allegations of racism. pic.twitter.com/KEblq3yP7t
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) May 31, 2021
Parents-the protest stems from years of discrimination and separate rules for white learners and black learners.They demand change. Many learners have apparently cried to their parents over the years about the alleged racist treatment #CornwallHillCollege #racism #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/p5PeYcp7cQ
— Patricia Visagie (@Patrweezy) May 31, 2021
One of the learners gives a startling testimony of her experience of racism at the #CornwallHillCollege #racism #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/HkWPqdYE5B
— Patricia Visagie (@Patrweezy) May 31, 2021
[WATCH] Parents and pupils outside #CornwallHillCollege holding a peaceful demonstration against racism and lack of transformation. Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza’s Lesufi is expected to intervene in the matter this morning. @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/TgosGUtHtW
— Linda Mnisi (@LindA_MniSii) May 31, 2021