PHSG racism disciplinary outcome an opportunity for dialogue - education activist
Hendrick Makaneta said the decision created a fresh opportunity for a dialogue on race and racism at the school.
Pretoria School for Girls. Picture: Screenshot
JOHANNESBURG - An education activist has welcomed the outcomes of a disciplinary hearing that exonerated 12 pupils from Pretoria High School for Girls.
Hendrick Makaneta said the decision created a fresh opportunity for a dialogue on race and racism at the school.
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The pupils, who were suspended for alleged racism, were found not guilty by a disciplinary panel.
The racism allegations relate to a so-called "whites-only" WhatsApp group, which the pupils were accused of using to share racial micro-aggressions.
The incident also resulted in a decision by the Gauteng Education Department to suspend the school's principal this week.
Makaneta said that the school required an external mediator who could facilitate the conversation on race.
"Discipline was never going to achieve the objective of rooting out racism in the first place. We need sober minds to unite black and white learners not only at Pretoria High School for Girls but even elsewhere where racial tensions are felt. We have a duty to create a united, non-racial, and non-sexist society that can coexist in harmony."