Racial segregation at Pretoria private schools prompts investigation

An investigation into racial integration will be conducted in Pretoria private schools following allegations of racial segregation at Curro Foundation School, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said on 2 February.

Lesufi took a team to the Curro Foundation School in Roodeplaat, after learning that parents had signed a petition objecting to the fact that a group of white children were placed in a class of their own, separate to black pupils.

Apologies from the Curro Foundation School

Principal at Curro School, Andre Pollard reasoned that white children, who are in the minority at the school, felt more secure around other white children.

“It is not because we would like to segregate the whites, it is just because of friends. Children are able to make friends with children of their culture,” he said.

The chief executive of Curro Holdings, Chris van der Merwe, said that a recent jump in their share prices justifies what they were doing.

“Our share prices have jumped by five percent, the biggest leap we’ve seen, and that tells us that the majority of people believe in what we are doing. We have 36 000 pupils, of which 24 000 are black,” he said.

“The class with only white children at our school happens to be those pupils who have chosen Afrikaans, which we cannot change as it is their language option.

“However, we will not be dividing other classes based on race. It is very unfortunate that we had an isolated case which we have resolved and I can only state that we will never tolerate any form of racism at our schools.”

Pollard faced strong criticism for admitting to separating the pupils and later apologised, saying that he did not realise the offence he had caused.

“South Africans don’t want to go back to the pre-1994 era in our country. That’s what I’ve learnt this week. And I’m deeply sorry for my comments on segregating children at our school,” he said.

Necessary plans for transformation

MEC Lesufi, parents and the SA Human Rights Commission held a meeting with the school’s management on 2 February, where it was agreed that transformation was needed, reported Sapa.

Lesufi told reporters:

“The school embraces and accepts that they’ve made a mistake and they will rectify it.”

Curro’s COO Andries Greyling said that plans for integration have begun.

“I want to reiterate that Curro never stood for racial segregation. We will change our practices and we’ll work hard to address the challenges,” he said.

Later this week a meeting will be held with parents to discuss the integration processes.

Lesufi advised of changes that could be implemented at Curro Foundation school, including the introduction of African languages as subjects and the introduction of black teachers (as the school only has white staff).

The South African Council of Educators will meet with school principals and teachers at the Curro School to establish the facts, said spokesman Themba Ndlovu.

The council, which monitors and upholds standards of professional conduct for teachers, warned that it will pursue those found accountable for ethical transgressions, reported BD Live.

Spokesman for the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Isaac Mangena said the SAHRC would continue to monitor the integration of classrooms at the Curro Foundation School.

Lesufi plans to meet with all the principals of private schools in Pretoria to introduce a transformation charter. He will order a review of private education in the province by an independent person. Parents will be allowed to appear or give evidence.

The inquiry is expected to report back by June 16, the anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising against the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction at schools.

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