[ad_1]
- Brackenfell High School plans to resume sensitivity and diversity training after allegations of racial exclusion.
- The school has acknowledged and “deeply” regrets the pain caused to students, especially students of color.
- It will also establish safe lines of communication for students to voice concerns and raise issues to make school “better.”
Brackenfell High School has called on parents to remain calm amid recent violence and public backlash over a private tuition party reportedly only attended by white students. He has asked you to allow the processes to unfold.
In a letter to parents, which News24 has seen, the school announced that it would resume sensitivity and diversity training next year, after the program was disrupted by the Covid-19 shutdown.
The school also said it deeply regretted the pain caused by the clashes over the matrix match and subsequent hate speech on social media.
The letter from Principal Jannie Muller and the president of the school’s governing body (SGB), Guillaume Smit, said the school condemned the hate speech and violence that occurred near the school in the wake of allegations of racial exclusion in Party.
The violence occurred on Monday when the EFF was prevented from protesting near the school, following their meeting last Friday at the school over the allegation that only white students and some teachers attended the party.
The school reiterated that it could not assume responsibility for an organized private function without the involvement of the school, reflecting the view of the Western Cape Education MEC that it was a private function, not a school function.
“However, we acknowledge and deeply regret the pain it caused our students, especially our students of color,” the letter read.
“The SGB and Brackenfell High School staff are fully committed to participating in future discussions with students and parents to ensure a constructive journey,” the two wrote.
“We listen to the voices of our school community and, as a school, we are committed to listening better, being better, and doing better.”
They begged parents and people from within and outside the community to allow students to write their final exams without assault or violence on school grounds.
They are among the 95,427 enrollment candidates who are writing exams in the province.
“We sincerely appeal to our parents, community members, and people outside of our community, to refrain from engaging in any form of assault or violence on or around school premises.
“We fully recognize your concern as parents for the welfare and safety of your children, but we are confident that the police and other police structures are fully equipped and can deal with any eventuality that may take place in or around the school.”
The letter continued:
“We implore you to exercise calm and discipline, as any escalation of violence will only endanger our students, their children, and cause them unnecessary anxiety and distract them from their exams.”
“Please allow the school the opportunity to address concerns and chart a course toward reconciliation and healing. Regarding the way forward, our goal is to expand and adapt to make school a better place where all of our children will be adequately equipped to function successfully in a multicultural society, where we accept diversity and inclusion. “
FRIDAY REPORT | The Battle of Brackenfell: How Racism and Toxic Populism Ignited a Suburb
Without providing specific details, the principal and president said that as a result of a meeting with “stakeholders” in July, the school had begun to put measures in place to facilitate diversity.
The committee held its first meeting, but the program was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The measures will include the following:
– Better comunication;
– Girls hair policy changed after extensive consultation and will be communicated;
– External speakers and consultants sought to conduct ongoing sensitivity and diversity training with staff and students next year;
– Training in diversity, sensitivity and recognition of racism and discrimination will be given as part of the Orientation to Life;
– Processes are being implemented to create safe spaces to express concerns and raise issues.
Earlier this week, the Department of Education said that in June, the department head wrote to all public schools, stating the “absolute need for courageous and ongoing conversations in our schools on issues of racism, prejudice and inclusion.”
Schools were instructed to reaffirm that they condemn racism and prejudice and that they support the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights.
They were also asked to enlist specialized outside organizations to engage with school leadership groups to help lead the types of conversations needed.
Did you know that you can comment on this article? Subscribe to News24 and add your voice to the conversation.
