Instead of spending their first day in the classroom, dozens of girl pupils at Wynberg Senior Secondary School marched to the local police station to report alleged insults and racial slurs hurled at them by a teacher.
The girls, around 50 in total, told Die Son that they were chased from the school because they had braids in their hair.
The girls complained about a teacher who had allegedly used the k-word while reprimanding them for their hairstyles.
Captain André Venter, spokesman for Wynberg police station said police were not investigating the incident.
Paddy Attwell, spokesman for the education department, said the allegations were viewed in a serious light and were being investigated.
“The department... spoke to some of the girls and they did complain about one teacher in particular who was being verbally abusive. (We) will continue to investigate this matter.”
The teacher denied using racial slurs, Attwell said.
Headmaster Daniel Jones on Tuesday held meetings with the girls’ parents. He and the deputy head were unable to comment this morning, said a secretary at the school.
“For the most part the braids seem to have been weaved in over the vacation period. Individual schools may determine dress codes in terms of their codes of conduct. I can confirm that (Wynberg Senior Secondary School) does have a policy whereby braids are not allowed,” Attwell said.
Cape Argus