Twelve students from Pretoria High School for Girls, who were suspended amidst racism accusations, have been exonerated by a disciplinary panel, the school announced on Friday.
In a public statement, the school emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “Given the public interest in this case, we feel obligated to share the outcomes of the disciplinary proceedings with our school community.”
The controversy began when black students alleged that a group of white students had created a WhatsApp group specifically to discuss them. These allegations extended to claims of inaction by the school’s administration and preferential treatment towards white students by teachers.
The incident prompted a suspension of the accused students on July 24, confirmed by the Gauteng Education Department. This suspension followed a notification by the school to the Tshwane South District about a planned protest by students on July 19, which was reportedly spurred by racial tensions and micro-aggressions expressed in the aforementioned WhatsApp group.
In the interim, the school’s principal, Phillipa Erasmus, was placed on precautionary suspension, and an acting principal, D Stoffberg, was appointed.
The hearing itself was overseen by a three-member panel from the Student Governing Body (SGB), including an advocate co-opted by the SGB, ensuring a regulated and fair process. Following thorough deliberations, all twelve students were acquitted of the charges and retained their prefect statuses.
The school has declared the process as fair and transparent, with a formal report now with the SGB. Reflecting on the proceedings, the school expressed a commitment to learning from the incident and fostering a supportive educational environment.
“As we move past this incident, our focus remains on upholding the values of our community and ensuring a conducive atmosphere for all students to thrive,” the statement concluded.
#Pretoria #High #School #Students #Cleared #Racism #Charges #Disciplinary #Hearing
