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‘Deference can make a difference in fight against racism’

todayJuly 24, 2024 105

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Education expert, Professor Mary Metcalfe, says racism is structured in South Africa and for it to be dealt with – constant willingness to learn to live in an ethnically diverse society is needed.

Metcalfe was reacting to the suspension of 12 learners from Pretoria High School For Girls over alleged racism.

According to the Gauteng Education Department, the learners who are white, were part of a WhatsApp group – where they spoke ill about their black counterparts.

This is not the first time the school has been embroiled in a racism storm.

In 2016, the school made headlines when learners protested over the school’s discriminatory policy, which mandated black pupils to straighten their hair and not speak in African languages while on school grounds.

Another protest over “sexism, homophobia and racism” rocked the school in 2020.

Speaking to YNews, Metcalfe says schools need to do more to teach the learners about inclusivity.

The Gauteng Education Department says it was notified about the recent incident when the school alerted the Tshwane South District about a planned protest by a group of pupils, which was scheduled for last week Friday.

“This was triggered by alleged racial connotations, micro-aggressions and complaints about black learners, which were ventilated through a WhatsApp group comprised of white learners. The conversations allegedly included racial commentary about the ongoing dissatisfaction among black learners regarding issues they faced at the school, alluding to these issues being insignificant,” says the departmental spokesperson, Steve Mabona.

He says the accused learners will now face a disciplinary hearing, which is set for next week Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to Mabona, the district has also launched an investigation to probe all mentioned allegations, especially against school employees, who are said to have turned a blind eye to the black learners’ concerns.

He says the decision followed a meeting that was called, where pupils were given an opportunity to air their grievances.

Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, added his voice on the matter and says schools need to held accountable for not doing enough to encourage empathy and mutual respect amongst learners.

He says the long-term effects of incidents of racism can be devastating, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts among targeted students.

“It’s crucial to provide comprehensive support and counseling to affected learners,” he says.

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has also weighed in, saying it is concerning to see such behaviour in our educational institutions.

In a statement, the party says school are supposed to be safe spaces for all students to learn and grow.

“Racism has no place in our schools or society, and we stand firmly against any actions that perpetuate these harmful ideologies. We welcome the recent decision by the school governing body (SGB) to suspend 12 pupils from Pretoria Girls High over allegations of racism.”

The EFF says the Pretoria High School For Girls continues to be a hotbed of racial discrimination, even after many calls for something to be done.

South African also took to X, to voice their opinions on this issue.

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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