Swift action against teachers accused of racism is welcome as such behaviour must never be tolerated in our schools.
On Monday, the KwaZulu-Natal education department placed the Grosvenor Girls' High School principal, who was accused of racism, on precautionary suspension.
Principal Linda Jorgensen was accused of racism by parents and pupils in a meeting with officials last week. One pupil alleged she had “enabled racism” when she had a fight with a fellow pupil at the Durban school.
The suspension was the recommendation of a panel of experts investigating the matter. The panel was given 21 days to probe the issue to minimise the error of “shortcuts” as seen in a 2019 investigation into similar allegations at the school, MEC Kwanza Mshengu said.
Racism is rife in SA schools, as shown by several reports of such across the country over the years, with teachers often accused of turning a blind eye to it or of being perpetrators.
What is strange, though, is that there are barely any reports of teachers being held accountable for their actions. We are usually told the department is investigating and the matter dies down until the next one hits the headlines.
Like when a probe by the department uncovered that black pupils were victims of racism at Pretoria Girls High School after protests over the school's hair policy, among other issues, in 2016.
It found that there were cases where black children were called monkeys, the K-word and N-word by teachers. MEC Panyaza Lesufi apologised to those affected at the time and a team was sent to help draft new policies.
However, in 2020 pupils at the facility protested again and complained that nobody was held accountable and nothing had changed.
Another teacher was suspended in 2019 after a picture she took of black and white pupils separated in a class in a North West school. She was later reinstated after a labour court ruling that her suspension was unlawful, and further investigation was needed. We never heard about the matter again.
Teachers are in a position of authority and they must be punished when they are found guilty of abusing their power. There are too many reports pointing fingers at them and they cannot be left to victimise children they are meant to nurture and protect.
Racism allegations must be treated with urgency and the seriousness they deserve, which is why we welcome the turnaround of a week before action was taken at Grosvenor.
If the principal is found guilty she must be sacked. That will send a message to others. Only when the perpetrators face harsh sanctions will we see a change in attitudes.
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