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KWAZULU-NATAL Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu has released damning findings from an investigation into claims of racism at Grosvenor Girls High School, south of Durban.
An independent panel was appointed to probe these allegations, and financial misconduct after protests broke out at the school in March.
The panel found that racism has been normalised at the school and is systematic and structural.
“The investigation has found that racism at Grosvenor Girls High School is systematic, structural and that white authority dominates all facets at the school. It also found that racism is normalised and that it is second nature at this school, that black people who are learners and employees at the school suffer in an atmosphere of being suppressed, oppressed and of being voiceless,” said Mshengu.
“The report lists a litany of instances where the principal has used derogatory, discriminatory, and dehumanizing language when dealing with race related issues.”
Earlier in February, angry learners took to the streets outside the Grosvenor Girls High School to protest against a school that allegedly treats black and coloured girls unfairly.
The learners alleged that racism was an ongoing issue at the school.
Parents shortly followed suit and joined their children who demanded change as well as the removal of the principal.
Mshengu said the report also mentions several instances where the principal has used derogatory and discriminatory language when dealing with students and employees.
“The principal has been at the cutting edge of entrenching racism in that school. Evidence was led where the principal constantly shouted at African learners, reminding them that Grosvenor Girl High is not a township school, and she must go back to these township schools,” said Mshengu.
“Educators are told and motivated to recruit more white learners because the school belongs to white learners according to the principal.”
Mshengu said the report has been forwarded to the Premier of the Province, Sihle Zikalala with a strong motivation that it should be used as a motivation for the appointment of a commission of inquiry into racism in schools within the province.
“Such a commission will assist us to uncover other racial sufferings and to develop norms and standards to prevent racial abuses in our schools,” he said.
INSIDE EDUCATION