Education Dept dismisses Brackenfell High racism claims

Education Dept dismisses Brackenfell High racism claims

The Department of Education in the Western Cape has dismissed allegations of racism made against Brackenfell High School in Cape Town.

Education Dept dismisses Brackenfell High racism claims
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The unofficial matric ball organised by parents has stirred up racial tensions at the school after it emerged it had been attended exclusively by white pupils.

The Economic Freedom Fighters in the Western Cape protested outside the school but were met by a group of parents.

Police fired stun grenades to separate the two groups.

The EFF’s deputy chair in the province Nosipho Batya says they are concerned that two teachers from the school presided over the event. 

“We have been contacted by the parents of the kids who are attending in that school with the children who are black, following an incident where there was a matric ball that was done out of the school premises, but it only catered for only white students. 

“To our surprise, we also found out that two teachers that were in that event and which was only for whites. We got calls from parents and children that they feel excluded and they were not part of that event and were never informed.  

“To us it was very shocking to find such things that still happens in this day and age where we have virtual classes and events that are aiming or promoting white supremacy. Our plan was to go there and to visit the school to get their side of the story, what are they saying on this issue of which the school has distanced itself.

“Ours was to say if that was the case, how could then the teachers preside over such an event which seems to be promoting white supremacy?”

Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäffer dismissed the allegations, reiterating that the function was not organised by the school.  

“Last week it was stated that the high school had organised some kind of matric farewell function and only white children were invited. On an investigation, it was incorrect. There was a function that was held by some people who attend the school, and it was a private function and two of the teachers were invited in their private capacity. 

“Today we discovered that there were 42 out of 250 learners at the event who organised behind the scenes and it was not part of the school function, it was a private function to make up for missing their matric farewell by some individuals in the school. 

“The EFF then got involved and tried to allege racism because they said it was only white people who were attending this function. They went to protest last week at the school, and we had to unfortunately get the police there and today they decided to go again and unfortunately the parents also got involved and were very angry and this led to violence to the school, which is disturbing.”  

Schäffer says no violence will be tolerated as pupils are writing exams. 

“We were made aware that there would be a protest yesterday. So we obviously engaged with the security services and SAPS was there to protect and cordoned off the parts of the school and ensuring that violence doesn’t spill over on to school property. 

“But it is really unacceptable to resort to violence in any way and to try solve the disagreement. Learners are trying to write their matric exams and this particular event is now being made into something that it wasn't.”

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