Racial tensions reach boiling point at Shakaskraal Primary

Shakaskraal Primary School erupted in chaos this Monday after one of the teachers allegedly announced over the school’s intercom system that Indian educators and pupils needed to leave the school.

Racial tensions reached boiling point on Monday morning and Umhlali SAPS were called to restore order as the school’s pupils were fighting among themselves and threatening violence against their teachers.

SAPS spokesperson captain Vinny Pillay said the fighting started when an Indian teacher slapped a black pupil for misbehaving in her classroom.

“A few days ago, an Indian teacher allegedly hit a black child who then hit her back. Another teacher jumped in, in defence of the pupil, and went from class to class telling children that Indian teachers and pupils should leave the school. She also announced this on the school intercom system. Some black pupils then started to fight with their Indian peers and teachers and threatened to protest for Indians to leave.”

One parent who rushed to the school to pick up his child who was left outside the gate, was furious.

“My child was told it was dangerous for him and was escorted out by a staff member and just left outside. When I came to school, no one could give me answers as to what is going on and when I tried speaking to one of the teachers, she just walked off with tears in her eyes. This bullying is unacceptable and if I send my children to school, I expect that they will stay in their classroom and learn. All the principal could tell me was that everything was fine now.”

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Pillay confirmed that some children had run out of the school in fear after having been threatened by their peers. He said the teacher accused of fueling the racial tensions

said she did not intend for the situation to get as bad as it had.

Another grandparent of a previous pupil said discrimination had always been a problem at the Shakaskraal school.

“We transferred my grandson to a Muslim school in Stanger where we pay almost R1000 a month. This is despite having a school right here on our doorstep.”

While police tried to control pupils and calm the situation, school management spent Monday trying to resolve the problem with the education department circuit director.

Pillay said the situation was now calm but that the school was being closely monitored.

KZN education department spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said any form of racism would not be condoned.

“Racism is a demon that we cannot allow into our children’s minds. We cannot have this in our schools and we need to respect each other regardless of colour. We are happy that the circuit director was made aware of this situation and if it is not resolved, the matter will be escalated to the district level.”

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