Photo: stpeters.co.za
St Peter’s College has set up a committee in a bid to recognise and alleviate racism and gender issues experienced at the school.
Schools, including Pinnacle College Kyalami, have recently been in the media for issues of racism, and these incidents have prompted many current and former learners from schools around the country to speak on race issues witnessed and experienced.
Chairperson of the committee, Inonge Maleshoane said the committee was formed about a month ago after former learners took to social media to speak about their alleged racism issues experienced at St Peter’s College.
The committee has already had two meetings in June. “The start of the committee was initially met with criticism, but a trust is being built between the committee and the school’s community with the constant communication. We know we have to prove ourselves, and we definitely do not take that for granted,” Maleshoane added.
A statement sent out to the school’s community said the committee was made up of learners, staff, alumni and an independent member, to show the diversity at the school.”The committee is empowered to draw on external exports as and when required. This may involve calling on independent psychologists, transformation experts and suitably qualified legal counsel to chair disciplinary proceedings,” read the statement.
The committee is encouraging individuals to raise any issues either via an email address or through the committee. Submissions can be made in writing or orally, and are open to members of the school community, including current learners, staff and parents, and from the past five years.”All submissions made to the committee should specify the desired outcome, for this to be considered during deliberations.”
Marketing manager at the school, Nosipho Nkosi said the school was saddened that there were current and former learners who had apparently experienced some kind of prejudice at the school.”We are glad that issues like this are coming out now so that we can break any type of issues happening at the school. It is important to identify what racism is, and what it means,” she said.
“Issues like this happening at the school are something we are aware of, and we are not shying away from them. The school will not tolerate any racism.”Maleshoane concluded that the committee would bring about uncomfortable conversations that needed to take place for the school to move forward.
“If you don’t move with the world, you will be left behind. I think this committee can change the way conversations like these are had at St Peter’s, and create a better environment for future learners.”
