Pretoria High School for Girls pupil says latest racism scandal left her feeling unwelcome
Twelve pupils at the school were suspended in July in connection with allegations that they were sharing ‘racial microaggressions’ on a whites-only WhatsApp group.
Pretoria School for Girls. Picture: Screenshot
JOHANNESBURG - A pupil at Pretoria High School for Girls has spoken out about the latest racism scandal at the institution, saying it has left her feeling unwelcome.
Twelve pupils at the school were suspended in July in connection with allegations that they were sharing “racial microaggressions” on a whites-only WhatsApp group.
There was a protest at the school last week over the allegations.
More claims have surfaced that white learners are receiving preferential treatment, and the rules are being applied selectively to their benefit.
The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that an investigation is now under way.
One pupil has told Eyewitness News that she’s finding it difficult to learn in an environment where she feels unwelcome.
She spoke on condition of anonymity to Eyewitness News on Wednesday, saying she was shocked by the apparent conversations in the alleged whites-only WhatsApp group.
She says it made her realise that while “apartheid may have been demolished 30 years ago, racism was not”.
This isn’t the first time Pretoria High School for Girls has been hit by a racism scandal, with protests over similar issues in 2016 and 2020.
The pupil said she’s upset that it seems nothing has changed and believes these issues need to be addressed once and for all.
Meanwhile, in Western Cape, a parent of a grade 12 pupil dealing with a similar issue said it’s concerning that a teacher who allegedly used the K-word is being allowed to continue teaching.
The Western Cape Education Department confirmed the incident at Table View High, saying an investigation is under way and a disciplinary hearing could be on the cards.
It’s understood the substitute teacher allegedly used the K-word during a grade 12 history lesson on Wednesday last week.
The father of one of the children said the teacher should be suspended.
“I’m still questioning what is it that is being done. Is this person being allowed to teach our children continuously and to continue to call them derogatory names and to abuse them? That is my gripe with this whole situation.”
Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond has confirmed the teacher is still working at the school, adding that her classroom behaviour is being monitored.