Generic photo of a classroom – Photo: Unsplash
Generic photo of a classroom – Photo: Unsplash
A race row has emerged in a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) school after a student was accused of using a derogatory remark against a fellow pupil. According to the Sunday Times, the student now faces expulsion for – among other offences – allegedly calling calling another pupil a “c**lie”.
The student – a 17-year-old grade 11 pupil from Westville Boys’ High in Durban – will have stand before a tribunal October 25, with two magistrates and an Equality Court commissioner set to be present as the allegations are put to him.
Allegation of racism denied
According to the Sunday Times, the incident in which a grade 10 student was referred to as a “c**lie”happened while the two students were taking part in swim club on the grounds of Westville Boys’ High, with the victim’s younger sister having overheard the altercation.
The father of the child said that the swimming club has now become an unsafe environment for children, saying that “swimming is now a torment as there’s huge division at the club based on racial lines”.
The newspaper said that the accused boy and his family have thus far denied the allegations, and intend to fight them at the tribunal later this month.
School investigating ‘serious’ incident
Westville Boys’ High said in a statement that the incident is being handled in a serious manner, and warned that the boy will be expelled if found to be guilty of using the racist term.
“The school undertook an extensive investigation, including a substantial number of interviews. During the investigation, additional allegations of misconduct of a racial nature were received and recorded. These allegations have been denied by the student accused,” it said in a statement.
“In the case of serious disciplinary infringements only the education department can expel. If the allegations were found to be true, and the offence warranted a dismissal, the tribunal hearing would only be able to make a recommendation to the education department for expulsion.”
