An independent investigation into an alleged culture of racism at Pretoria High School for Girls has recommended disciplinary action against members of staff who did not take learners' complaints seriously.
Furthermore, the investigation has found that there are incidents of a racial nature that have been reported since 2019 up to July 2024 with some learners and staff believing that racism existed at the school but in more subtle forms.
Earlier this year, 12 learners were suspended following complaints from other learners. IOL reported that black learners alleged that the white girls had set up a WhatsApp group chat to discuss them.
The black learners further claimed that the principal and school's management team did not take action following their complaints, and that white learners received preferential treatment from teachers.
Despite the girls being found not guilty in disciplinary hearing in August, the Department of Education in Gauteng sought the services of Mdladlamba Attorneys to investigate the matter further.
"The call for the inquiry was triggered by a public outcry," the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said.
Upon its own investigation, the law firm found that some members of staff had not taken the learners' complaints seriously.
To this end, the firm has recommended that action be taken against them for breaching policies of the Employment Equity Act and South African Schools Act.
The law firm added it will be prudent for the GDE to ensure that the school offer counselling to all learners who were affected by the incident including the learners that were found guilty by the disciplinary hearings.
“We will implement the recommendations, and bring social cohesion into the school in a manner that involves everyone, learners and teachers alike. We will also bring the school closer to the National Dialogue that is being purported by the Government of National Unity,” said MEC Matome Chiloane.
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