DESPITE the provincial Education Department completing its investigation into Sans Souci Girls’ High School’s alleged discriminatory policies, parents and pupils have slated the process, calling it exclusionary and done in bad faith.
The investigation comes after pupils protested against what they describe as a discriminatory code of conduct, which the girls say polices their natural hair and demerits them for speaking isiXhosa, leaving them feeling humiliated.
During the course of last week and Monday, interviews have been conducted with pupils, parents and other interested parties.
The department will now compile a report with recommendations for changes at the school.
However, The Truth We Will Proclaim movement of past and present pupils and their parents said in a statement that from the onset, they had concerns about the way the department had conducted the investigation.
They said despite the department being aware of allegations that teacher Catherine van Heerden had victimised pupils, she was made acting principal.
“Furthermore, it was communicated that (principal) Charmaine Murray was not to return to the school until after the investigation was completed – she was seen at the school over a weekend (and) at school one day,” the statement reads.
They also say parents were given short notice of the investigation with only a weekend to prepare for the interviews, which were also held at a location unknown to them.
“We now await the outcome of the investigation and a way forward. One of the largest concerns remains is that nothing has been done about the governing body. As it stands, there are only two parent representatives on the SGB with the rest having resigned,” the statement reads.
Greshen Chetty, of Access to Justice, who represents pupils in mediation with the department and other stakeholders, criticised the process, saying the department did not act in good faith.
Department spokesperson Paddy Attwell said the investigation team expected to complete the report by the end of the week.