EDUB ARTICLE 6A & 6B NOTES:
6A:
Education: the South African school’s ongoing wrestle with
racism reveals gap in policy.
1. The departure of St John’s College teacher found guilty of
racist behaviour.
2. Despite being found guilty of serious misconduct following
an internal investigation by St John’s, the school opted to
allow him to stay in his post as a result of ‘mitigating
factors’
3. South African schools lack anti-racism policies and any
strong strategy for ensuring that learners are not on the
receiving end of racism from staff.
4. Department of basic education spokesperson Elijah
Mahlangu said: ‘the basis of our curriculum is understanding
diversity and fostering co-existence among people of
different backgrounds. We do not have specific anti-racism,
training because diversity teaching is built into the
curriculum.
5. ‘Teachers know that discrimination of anyone is not allowed,
unacceptable and punishable’.
6. ‘Racisms and prejudice is present in school’s code of
conduct, in admissions and fee exempt opts policies and in
management practices’.
7. ‘Diversity training as a means to address this is insufficient -
learners must see themselves represented in the school
staff body and in learning materials’.
8. There is no specific requirement for diverse racial
representation on school governing bodies and not much in
the way of a proactive policy from government to ensure
diversity.
6A:
Education: the South African school’s ongoing wrestle with
racism reveals gap in policy.
1. The departure of St John’s College teacher found guilty of
racist behaviour.
2. Despite being found guilty of serious misconduct following
an internal investigation by St John’s, the school opted to
allow him to stay in his post as a result of ‘mitigating
factors’
3. South African schools lack anti-racism policies and any
strong strategy for ensuring that learners are not on the
receiving end of racism from staff.
4. Department of basic education spokesperson Elijah
Mahlangu said: ‘the basis of our curriculum is understanding
diversity and fostering co-existence among people of
different backgrounds. We do not have specific anti-racism,
training because diversity teaching is built into the
curriculum.
5. ‘Teachers know that discrimination of anyone is not allowed,
unacceptable and punishable’.
6. ‘Racisms and prejudice is present in school’s code of
conduct, in admissions and fee exempt opts policies and in
management practices’.
7. ‘Diversity training as a means to address this is insufficient -
learners must see themselves represented in the school
staff body and in learning materials’.
8. There is no specific requirement for diverse racial
representation on school governing bodies and not much in
the way of a proactive policy from government to ensure
diversity.
