Cape Town - Disappointed by the suspended diversity intervention at Fish Hoek High School, the ANC in the province, which made a call in the legislature for action, said it awaited the Western Cape Education Department's (WCED) report on the matter.
The parents of pupils complained that the session, facilitated by diversity trainer and political analyst Asanda Ngoasheng on October 31, fuelled racial tensions and traumatised some pupils.
The intervention followed after a teacher at the school allegedly used racial slurs during a lesson in May this year.
Ngoasheng is said to have spoken to the learners for more than two hours, with no teachers allowed to attend the session.
She did not respond to questions on Wednesday. The WCED has since suspended the intervention.
It was business as usual when the Cape Times visited the school on Wednesday.
The principal, Steven Joubert was said to be in a meeting and “is not speaking to the media”.
Questions relating to the diversity session were referred to the WCED.
Some of the pupils at the school were apparently so traumatised by the session they had to receive counselling.
A parent of a black pupil said her daughter never had any issues at the school.
“Training on diversity matters at any school where the majority are of white colour is always welcomed.
“It is, however, also to be considered that the racial remark that was made might have been just an isolated issue between the teacher and the student.
“For example, what exactly did the student say to the educator that triggered the response? Discipline and respect is definitely an issue and it has affected the relationship between students and teachers,” the parent said.
Education MEC David Maynier said a full investigation of what transpired at the school was under way.
“What happened caused hurt and division, and the intervention was terminated the very next day, on November 1. An investigation was launched immediately to ensure accountability for the events that took place and to ensure that it never happens again.
“We are taking the matter very seriously. “I have requested that Western Cape Government Legal Services provide advice regarding legal options relating to the service provider’s conduct during the intervention itself, including whether there is scope for a civil claim for damages in this regard,” said Maynier.
ANC spokesperson for education in the Western Cape, Khalid Sayed, said they were not surprised by the department’s suspension of the intervention.
“Seeking legal advice is often used as an excuse for lack of transparency. We are deeply disappointed as we made a call in the legislature for an intervention to take place at the school.
“I will be doing a motion on this matter in the legislature. We await the WCED’s written report to our committee. David Maynier’s inconsistency in this matter is politically expedient and panders to conservative right-wing voices who don’t want white racism to be tackled at a fundamental level.
“MEC Maynier has shown that when it comes to black and coloured communities, he does not act with the same haste and decisiveness as seen in the matter of Wesley Newman, instead he withdraws positive interventions,” he said.
Cape Times