The Western Cape Education Department says it is not “protecting” a teacher who found herself in the middle of a racism scandal at Table View High School.
The substitute teacher allegedly used the K-word during a matric history lesson on the Black Consciousness Movement on Wednesday July 17.
Parents have subsequently called for the teacher to be sacked, but the education department says it is investigating and must follow disciplinary procedures.
Loyiso Mfubesi, a parent of one of the matric pupils who was in the class at the time of the alleged incident, said his daughter had been upset when she had returned home from school.
“I got involved when my daughter came home and she was not okay. She was not happy with what transpired, and then I decided to take it up with the school. My daughter told me that one of her teachers used the K-word, refused to apologise for it and claimed that the pupils shouldn’t have a big issue with it because ‘they were not there’ during apartheid’,” said Mr Mfubesi.
Bongani Ndwanya, whose child is in Grade 11 at the school, said it was unacceptable to allow the teacher to continue teaching classes, and the alleged incident had caused a great deal of distress among children at the school, specifically black children.
“What is even more disturbing is that the school is trying to protect the teacher who apparently is still teaching at the same school despite such serious allegations. As a responsible parent and a citizen of our beautiful community of the greater Table View area, I refuse to keep silent about such an incident,” he said.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said racism was not tolerated at any of its schools and the allegations were being addressed with the seriousness they deserved.
“The school did act immediately on the allegations and has submitted a report to the department, including statements from the learners. The alleged incident involves a substitute teacher. The school is monitoring the classroom practice of the teacher and has apologised to the learners for the hurt they have experienced. If any learner requires counselling, they can be assisted” she said.
Ms Hammond said that the department’s labour relations directorate was investigating the matter and it would be at the school this week to conduct further interviews.
“The school is not ‘protecting’ the teacher but is complying with the procedures in terms of disciplinary procedures. We are required to follow the relevant procedures. Based on the findings of that investigation, a decision will be made regarding a disciplinary hearing,” she said.
