By Johnathan Paoli
There is a culture of racism, mismanagement and inappropriate administration at the Pretoria High School for Girls (PHSG), according to the findings of a report released on Monday.
The report comes amid a long history of complaints regarding racial discrimination within the school, particularly intensified by recent incidents linked to a white girls’ WhatsApp group.
The investigation, conducted by Mdladlamba Attorneys, aims to address persistent racial tensions that have not been adequately resolved by previous inquiries.
In a media briefing in Pretoria, law firm director Mthuthuzeli Mdladlamba, alongside education officials, said the department initiated the investigation in response to renewed public outcry, particularly following a series of troubling discussions on the WhatsApp group.
Concerns about the effectiveness of prior investigations prompted a deeper inquiry into how allegations of racism were being managed by the school’s administration.
Launched in August this year, it examined multiple allegations of racism and the school’s response.
Mdladlamba said the findings indicated a significant lack of transparency and accountability among school officials.
He said intimidation and concern for being dismissed stood in the way of ensuring certain officials were brought to book.
“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,” he said.
A complaint raised in October last year about racial remarks on the WhatsApp group was not addressed in a timely manner, leading to questions about the principal’s leadership and the overall effectiveness of the school management team.
The report highlights that incidents of racism have been reported intermittently since 2019, with many students expressing feelings of subtle discrimination.
The investigation further noted a systemic failure by the school governing body and the department to adequately respond to the reported incidents, fostering a culture of mistrust among students and parents.
In light of these findings, the report outlines several recommendations.
Key among these is the need for counselling services for students affected by discrimination to ensure they have access to support as they navigate these challenging issues.
Disciplinary measures must be taken against specific school officials who mishandled complaints, including potential charges against the principal and several staff members for their failure to act in accordance with school policies.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised the government’s commitment to fostering social cohesion within the school.
“We will implement the recommendations, and bring social cohesion into the school in a manner that involves everyone, learners and teachers alike,” he told reporters.
The MEC said the report’s release aimed to restore trust among students, parents, and the broader community regarding the management of racial issues at PHSG.
The department intended to take actionable steps in response to the findings, and the MEC said that such incidents must be addressed effectively in the future to prevent a recurrence of discrimination.
In addition to the broader issues of racial discrimination, the investigation uncovered serious misconduct among several school officials.
Specific allegations included the mishandling of complaints, failure to respond to reports of bullying, and unprofessional behaviour by educators.
While a disciplinary hearing regarding racial comments on the WhatsApp group found the involved students not guilty, the investigation revealed that the handling of the situation by the relevant school official was deficient, leading to potential violations of students’ rights and school policy.
This official is now facing allegations of misconduct under the Employment Equity Act.
Further scrutiny was directed at several officials, including neglecting reports of bullying, making inappropriate remarks on a student’s academic performance, and aggressive behaviour towards a learner.
The report also confirmed a concerning pattern of discriminatory behaviour among staff members, with certain white educators often failing to greet their black colleagues.
Moreover, the investigation highlights irregular recruitment practices at the school, including the unauthorised appointment of a finance manager and the improper use of school resources, which exposes the institution to legal risks.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng has welcomed the reinstatement of the principal, Phillipa Erasmus, following her three-month suspension.
The DA’s Sergio dos Santos confirmed his party’s support for Erasmus and described the investigation as flawed.
“It is undeniable that this investigation was flawed from the start, with allegations that Mdladlamba Attorneys deviated from the terms of reference to find anything that could be used to prove the educators’ guilt,” he said.
He said the DA remained concerned over the ongoing charges of misconduct faced by Erasmus and others in light of the possible disruption this might cause learners.
The party would continue to push for the dismissal of the charges, criticising the department for attempting a witch hunt without any proof.
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