Racial tension has reared its ugly head at schools in the south of Durban with a parent saying she is struggling to deal with the repercussions of discriminatory behaviour while police were called in to restore peace at another school after students of different races clashed last week.

Police were called in after disruptions of lessons amid allegations of racial tension between black and coloured children at Wentworth Secondary School, last week Thursday.

Communications officer of the Wentworth SAPS, Captain Mbuso Gumede, confirmed the incident. He says they were joined by metro police, security companies, and public order policing to stabilise the situation and ensure the safety of learners, teachers and residents. Parents rushed to the school to fetch their children.

Meanwhile, an accusation of racial discrimination has also been made at Phambili Secondary School in Montclair, this time against the only white learner left at the school.

The Grade 10 learner’s mother, Nicky Marran, says she is still shocked that the abuse is inflicted by a teacher.

Marran, says she is heartbroken and angry that a teacher had caused racial tension, leading to her son to become depressed and not wanting to go to school.

“The female teacher continues to victimise my child after he exposed her by telling the truth after he was questioned about her victimising another child who was ‘different.’

“She has blatantly hurled racist remarks at my son, and also used racist remarks and profanity when she spoke with me during a meeting at the school about her conduct.

“I am concerned that my son is missing out on school as he is a high achiever academically. I also worry about him being depressed as he refuses to go to school and refuses to get out of bed.

“I hope that the issue will be resolved so that no other child is treated differently or badly because of the colour of their skin. We should not be having to deal with racism after living together for so many years,” says Marran.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education in KZN says it has not been made aware of allegations of racial discrimination and bullying in the concerned schools.

The spokesperson for department, Kwazi Mthethwa, says both incidents have not been brought to the attention of the department and are probably being dealt with at circuit and district level.

“Racial discrimination is not taken lightly, and we will investigate once the matter is brought to our attention,” says Mthethwa.