An independent investigative report on racial incidents at Pretoria High School for Girls has recommended that the principal and deputy principal be charged with misconduct.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, on Monday released the independent investigative report which probed allegations of a culture of racism at the school and provided recommendations to address such incidents.
The investigation, which was conducted by Mdladlamba Attorneys, a law firm commissioned by the Gauteng Department of Education came after pupils created a “whites only” WhatsApp group where they shared insensitive messages with racial undertones.
The 12 learners who were part of the WhatsApp group were subsequently charged and taken through a formal disciplinary inquiry by the School Governing Body (SGB) and were all found not guilty on the basis that the WhatsApp group was deemed to be a private platform.
Director of the law firm, Charles Mdladlamba, told a media briefing that the principal and deputy principal of the school mishandled the issue and should be charged with misconduct.
The report also found that some white teachers at the school did not greet their fellow black colleagues “because they do not know whether they are cleaners or educators at the school”.
Mdladlamba said the allegation that some white teachers do not greet their black colleagues was confirmed by the principal, Phillipa Erasmus, who is suspended.
“According to the principal, this is the biggest frustration that she must deal with at the school, including the ill-treatment of the administration staff by some educators.
“The principal indicated that her challenge is that the administration staff do not want to name the educators that are ill-treating them and thus she cannot take the necessary disciplinary steps against them,” Mdladlamba revealed.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the report is based on evidence and the rules of engagement were explained thoroughly to all individuals who were interviewed.
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