Learners traumatised at Fish Hoek H.S following ''diversity session'' on racism and faith

The Western Cape Education Department confirmed that it has suspended the intervention at Fish Hoek High School, on its "diversity session" about racism and faith.

Parents raised concerns about the content of the training, and the manner in which it was communicated and managed.

The diversity programme was driven by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), who brought in diversity expert and social justice educator Asanda Ngoasheng.

CapeTownETC reports that learners in grade 8 to 11 were to unpack the content introduced in the assembly, but, the programme was put on hold after the assembly, when students shared recordings of the talk with their parents, who then complained.

The ‘expert’ told the students that reverse racism doesn’t exist, and that black people cannot be racist.

MEC Maynier said a review of the session is underway.

‘’I understand parents’ concerns and frustrations, and we are taking this matter very seriously. A review of the training content, and the manner in which it was managed and communicated, is underway. Once the process has been finalised, an outcome and way forward will be determined. Our district support team will provide assistance to any learners who require support.”

Reacting to the incident, the DA has condemned the session at the school.

‘’ The demonising of people, particularly of children, on the basis of race has absolutely no place in our constitutional democracy. It is also completely unacceptable that teachers were barred from the compulsory “diversity course” where learners were allegedly abused, and that learners were prohibited from leaving the room or raising objections,’’ said Cilliers Brink, DA National Spokesperson.

‘’Genuine and constructive conversations about diversity will never succeed if they are conducted in an environment of bullying,’’ he added.

The Freedom Front Plus meanwhile has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against the education department, saying the session left some children in need of counselling.

‘’The FF Plus finds it regrettable that children have been so severely impacted by this. This was, just like what transpired in Schweizer-Reneke, unnecessary, thoughtless and the innocent are the ones who bore the brunt,’’ said Dr. Wynand Boshoff, FF Plus chief spokesperson for Basic Education.

‘’In addition to the complaint, the FF Plus demands that the DA in the Western Cape must immediately instruct the Department of Education to ensure that the officials involved in the incident keep away from any of the schools in the province,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George