Cape Town – Crawford International College has confirmed the removal of a substitute teacher at their Pretoria campus after a video surfaced on social media showing the teacher writing racist phrases on the board during a lesson.
The offensive terms were related to black people in the US and South Africa.
Despite some students expressing shock and outrage, the teacher continued her inappropriate behaviour.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane shared the video and criticised the incident, prompting the school to take action.
A video showing a teacher writing derogatory words on a classroom board at Crawford International College is doing the rounds on social media. Isasa Executive Director Lebogang Montjane cautions pupils against taking videos in class.
Watch: https://t.co/3zcCvtGmip#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/XcDIq28l87
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 26, 2023
Crawford International College said that the teacher had been a short-term substitute covering for a sick leave and had been informed not to resume her duties.
The school condemned any form of prejudice or discrimination and expressed regret for the incident and any offense it caused.
They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining an environment of respect, diversity, and inclusion.
“We have been made aware of a video circulating which contains footage of an unacceptable nature. The individual involved is a short-term temporary substitute teacher brought in a week ago to relieve for a permanent teacher who is on sick leave.
“The temporary teacher has been informed not to resume her duties, and the school reserves its rights regarding further action.
“At Crawford International Pretoria College we firmly denounce any form of prejudice or discrimination in any capacity. We deeply regret the incident and any offence it may have caused. Our commitment to maintaining an environment of respect, diversity and inclusion remains steadfast.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane applauded the school for dismissing the teacher.
“It is distasteful to see individuals who we have entrusted the education of children use that valuable time to push their own vilarious and poison the minds of our learners. We condemn in the strongest sense, the behaviour of this educator and any others who may want to behave in such unpalatable manner.
“We applaud the school for talking a swift decision in removing this educator immediately and being keen to take further remedial steps of action alongside the department,” Chiloane said.
MEDIA STATEMENT
Gauteng Education MEC @matomekopano supports the dismissal of a Grade 8 substitute teacher at Crawford International Pretoria College, who was seen to be promoting racism in a classroom on a video recorded by learners, which has since went viral. pic.twitter.com/yDeZd4W57e
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) July 26, 2023
“At Crawford International Pretoria College we firmly denounce any form of prejudice or discrimination in any capacity. We deeply regret the incident and any offence it may have caused. Our commitment to maintaining an environment of respect, diversity and inclusion remains steadfast.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane applauded the school for dismissing the teacher.
“It is distasteful to see individuals who we have entrusted the education of children use that valuable time to push their own villainous and poison the minds of our learners. We condemn in the strongest sense, the behaviour of this educator and any others who may want to behave in such unpalatable manner .
“We applaud the school for taking a swift decision in removing this educator immediately and being keen to take further remedial steps of action alongside the department,” Chiloane said.
The department said the teacher will also be reported to the South African Council of Educators (SACE) for necessary investigation and deregistration “so that she is not allowed to teach our children any further”.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
