News24 | Pretoria High School for Girls principal suspended amid racial discrimination probe

The principal of the Pretoria High School for Girls has been placed on suspension.

• The principal of Pretoria High School for Girls has been placed on suspension amid racism allegations that rocked the school last week.
• Eight of the 12 pupils were prefects (student leaders) and have since been withdrawn from their positions.
• In 2016, the school was embroiled in another racism saga where black pupils accused the school of having rules that were discriminatory against black girls' Afros.

The principal of Pretoria High School for Girls has been placed on suspension amid racism allegations that rocked the school last week.

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, who was briefing the media during a visit to the school on Tuesday, said the principal would be on suspension for three months, pending an investigation.

This follows the suspension last week of 12 pupils and claims by black pupils there was a WhatsApp group created by, and consisting only of, white pupils where alleged racial microaggressions were channelled about black pupils.

Chiloane said eight of the 12 pupils were prefects (student leaders) and have since been withdrawn from their positions.

"… they were withdrawn immediately together with the privileges that come with being a prefect. Through investigation, new evidence came through this is not a recent incident.

"There have been some complaints for quite some time, since last year already, 2023, that were raised by some of the learners.

"One of the whistle blowers came forward, and what makes me sad is that she got victimised, but she did come forward."

He said the complaints by pupils to the principal were ostensibly ignored.

"While we are still busy with the disciplinary process, we have taken a decision to suspend the principal of the school up until we conclude this matter. We have appointed one of the deputy principals to act in the interim."

Chiloane added while the principal lived on school grounds, she was prohibited from interacting with pupils and staff.

The school governing body is expected to continue its disciplinary process against the 12 pupils and will share its report with the department upon completion.

A diversity and social cohesion programme will also be conducted for all pupils and staff regularly.

"We encourage learners and teachers not to tire from reporting any ill-discipline or transgressions against the school code of conduct.

"Parents are also encouraged to report any allegation of ill-treatment to the district for necessary intervention," Chiloane said.

In 2016, the school was embroiled in another racism saga when black pupils accused the school of having rules that were discriminatory against black girls' hair.

The pupils also implicated some teachers whom they said bullied them and called them names because of their Afros.

This led to some teachers and the then-principal parting ways with the school.