Nkhensani Chauke
The 12 learners from Pretoria High School for Girls, suspended on racism allegations, have been found not guilty at a disciplinary hearing held earlier this week.
Acting principal Danica Stoffberg confirmed in a statement released on Friday that the disciplinary committee of the School Governing Body (SGB), concluded its inquiry and that it cleared the learners of all charges.
“We believe that this process has been conducted in fairness and transparency. Coming out of this process, there are lessons for all of us. Let us work together to create an environment where teaching and learning can continue, and every learner feels valued and empowered to succeed,” she said.
However, Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson Steve Mabona has said his department was disappointed with the outcome and how the school handled the issue.
“As the department we are disappointed about the outcome and not being provided with a report as you will understand that this is a serious matter which we’ve been working on throughout the entire week and have to wait for the official correspondence to be sent to us and we will be in a position to comment further on the way forward,” Mabona said.
South African Democratic Trade Union (SADTU) spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said that the union is in shock that the SGB reached a conclusion without informing the Department of Basic Education about the disciplinary hearing outcome and the time it took the school to conclude the hearing.
Cembi said it was concerning that it took so long for the matter to be concluded, considering issues related to racism should be treated with urgency and be consistently transparent.
“In the letter written to parents, the letter has got no details, it doesn’t say what the charges were, and it doesn’t say who came to testify, it’s just like treating this like it was a matter of manners,” Cembi said.
This issue needs to be dealt with in depth and Sadtu is concerned about learners who were victims of the increasing racial tension, Cembi said adding that the department did not believe that the school reached a proper conclusion since no provision of factual information was provided.
INSIDE EDUCATION
