KZN Education wants province-wide probe into racism at schools

The request comes after the department made public the findings of a probe into allegations of racism and financial misconduct at Grosvenor Girls High on the Bluff, south of Durban. 

 

An independent panel found that racism has been normalised at the school and is systematic and structural. 

 

It also uncovered maladministration, financial misconduct and nepotism.

 

Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu, who released the findings on Monday, said the report's been forwarded Zikalala with a strong motivation that a commission of inquiry be set up to investigate racism in schools across the province.

 

He said it will help uncover suffering and develop norms and standards to prevent racial abuse at schools. 

 READ: SAHRC set to be approached to probe Grosvenor High racism claims

"When the panel was briefing me on the report they even indicated that they had to do some debriefings and councilling and some instances after the general workers and learners were telling dehumanising stories. 

 

"One of the notable findings is that in the school, there is no African in the front desk administration, you will find Africans in the general work."  

 

The panel recommended the principal, who is currently suspended, be charged with misconduct for infractions relating to racism, the irregular appointments of employees and financial irregularities. 

 

The panel's asked the department to review the appointments made by the principal and immediately terminate the jobs of staff who failed to meet the basic requirements.