Outcry after St John’s College teacher found guilty of racism but still teaching at school
Many people are absolutely furious.
UPDATE: St John’s explains decision to not fire teacher found guilty of racism
Look, it’s no secret that there are sadly still thousands of racist South Africans. They work and live amongst us spreading their toxicity in places like hospitals, private businesses and even schools. When democracy began in 1995, all the racists in our country didn’t just pack up and disappear, or even suddenly become non-racist. Them disappearing doesn’t sound that bad though…
A teacher from St John’s College, a private school in Joburg, has been found guilty of serious misconduct after being accused of racism.
The high school teacher was found to have victimised pupils based on their race. EWN reports that headmaster Paul Edey, addressed a letter to the school community stating that the man had been issued a final warning. Although he has resigned from the senior positions he had, the man is still teaching.
The fact that he is still actively teaching has sent shockwaves through South African social media. Prominent 702 talk show host Eusebius McKaiser took to his personal Facebook to express his concern with the lack of punishment for racism.
“The school says it takes non-racialism seriously. So what did it do to punish this racism from a senior staff member? A little demotion and a final written warning.
Racism will NEVER be taken seriously if racism does not have serious consequences for racists. I would not send my child to St John’s or any school that deals so poorly with racism.
I guess my boyfriend can stop worrying about my insistence that our future gayby should attend St John’s. A school that is casual about racism is also casual about sexism, homophobia, and other bigotry.”
McKaiser also revealed that he has been in communication with some of the school’s Alumni about speaking out.
Edey, on the other hand, insists that his school is committed to being inclusive.
“St John’s is committed to building a South Africa which is inclusive, non-racial; and where every boy in the school feels safe, valued and will go forward to contribute to society and to building a better country.”
Also Read: Another school racism saga as parents ‘don’t want a black principal’
Surely the teacher should have at least been suspended immediately then? The fact that a teacher can be found guilty of racism but receive a warning is something that truly boggles the mind. We still have a long way to go South Africa…
