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Make it make sense: Escalating injustices at schools

By: Natasha Archary

escalating injustices at schools — Image: Adobe Stock

In recent weeks, the number of injustices in schools has been a sore topic and navigating the process of escalating a matter above the jurisdiction of the principal can feel like you’re stuck in a maze.

Gladys Sithole helps parents understand the steps to escalate such matters and sheds more information on the scope of authority that School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and the Department of Education (DoE) have.

Over the weekend, the Pretoria High School for Girls SGB cleared 12 students who were first suspended, over allegations of racially charged statements and microaggressive remarks.

Conducting an internal disciplinary hearing, the school’s SGB also suspended the thirteenth student, the black learner who raised issues of racism and her matter remains unresolved.

The school did not approach the DoE to handle the matter and there are calls for a rerun of the disciplinary hearing.

Gladys explains that there’s a hierarchy in schools and the DoE is higher than the SGB.

The SGB and by extension the management of the school represent the department itself, and it’s clear that the outcome of the racism disciplinary hearing was not what the department was expecting.

As a result, the Department will be launching an independent probe into the allegations of racism at the school.

However, the SGB does have powers to ensure the best interest of all stakeholders, and the South African Schools Act stipulates that an SGB must adopt a constitution setting out how the SGB will operate.

A code of conduct for learners at the school which sets out disciplinary procedures must also be put in place.

Disgust over outcome of racism disciplinary hearing at PTA High School for Girls

In cases involving violence at schools, the matter must be treated as a criminal case and due process must be followed.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) will need to be called and a case will be opened for investigation.

That is how Matediso Primary School in Katlehong handled the violent situation at the school on Monday, 05 August when controversial Pastor Paseka Mboro yielded pangas and forcefully removed two children.

Paseka Mboro’s church torched after he yielded pangas and forcefully removed 2 learners

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