WHITE RIVER – Disciplinary action has been taken against staff members of White River Primary after the spokesman of the school requested Lowvelder not to publish photos of black pupils who participated in the Mpumalanga primary schools rugby finals which were held at Hoërskool Nelspruit on Tuesday.
Read the story as reported in Friday’s edition: Demand for whites-only pics shocks
Ms Aldorette Swart approached the publication’s journalists while they were photographing the event and told them that the school didn’t want photos of black players to be published as it “markets them as a black school, causing them to lose white pupils”.
“It came to our attention that a member of the staff was instructed by the deputy principal to prevent local journalists from publishing photographs of black pupils as this would create the impression that the school has mostly black pupils. A local newspaper reported on the incident, but the school governing body has not yet commented,” said Mr Jaco Weitsz, chairman of the White River Primary SGB.
“As soon as the incident came to our attention the SGB immediately informed the Mpumalanga Education Department. The SGB also implemented disciplinary procedures against the staff members involved,” explained Weitsz.
Also read: Breaking the cycle of poor education
“We consider this incident in a very serious light. We will not tolerate racism in any form. White River Primary is a fully integrated school where all pupils are treated with the same level of respect.
“The SGB and staff are fully focused on protecting the interests of every child in the school, providing quality education and walking the extra mile, especially for pupils from difficult circumstances.”
The SGB further expressed its disappointment in the manner in which Lowvelder handled the incident.
“Members of the local media were not interested in providing a balanced article. This unbalanced reporting creates the impression that racism is encountered on a daily basis at the school and that it is tolerated by the school management and the SGB. While the SGB supports the right to freedom of expression, a fair and balanced account of the incident should have included the more than one side,” said Weitsz.
“The fact is that the SGB of White River Primary condemns this incident in the strongest possible terms.
The actions of one member of staff should not be taken to represent the entire body.
“Instead, the swift and decisive action taken by the SGB speaks volumes about the body’s commitment to quality education, the interests of the children in the school and social transformation in general.”
Weitsz has requested the school community of White River Primary to refrain from commenting on the matter on social and other media, and spreading false information.
“All members of this school community should have the same focus, namely protecting and upholding the good name of the school and providing quality education to our pupils,” he said.
Also read: Whities steeds trots ten spyte van verloor teen Middelburg
