DSK alumnus back pupils who raised alarm over teacher’s alleged racist, derogatory utterances

GERMAN International School Cape Town (DSK) alumni have expressed support for the current learners who have raised the alarm over alleged racist and derogatory remarks made by a teacher.

Parents and learners staged a picket outside the school on Monday after a teacher allegedly told learners that black children did not have role models as their fathers were in jail and their mothers were prostitutes.

In a statement, DSK alumnus said to hear about the recent incident did not come as a surprise.

“It is common knowledge that to attend and survive as at this school is to face constant discrimination and anti-blackness under the guise of ‘good' European education. School administration touts inclusivity and diversity as two of the school's pillars but as a black or student of colour the DSK makes sure to constantly remind you that you do not belong and you are not worthy of protection and education with care.

“To the brave students who are taking a stand, we are so proud. Trying to achieve and attend classes in an environment that is traumatic with no support from those who are meant to guide and protect you is difficult. You are not alone.”

The alumnus said the school chose to protect and reinstate a white teacher who was harmful to a black learner, and until the demands of the learners are met, the alumnus would continue to amplify the school management’s alleged inadequacies and share their own stories of discrimination.

According to a learner who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, it was not the first time the teacher allegedly made racist remarks.

“We were in life orientation class when the teacher made this racist comment. She split us into two groups and gave us a topic to discuss, she asked us why do we think people of colour are uneducated and when we gave her our answer she said, ‘the reason why people of colour are uneducated is because they don't have people to look up to, their mothers are prostitutes, their fathers are drunks and their brothers are gangsters’.”

“As a pupil of colour I was upset and wanted to leave her classroom. We reported it to our principal,” the learner said.

A parent who also asked to remain anonymous said the teacher should publicly apologise to the learners and expressed disappointment in the school’s handling of the matter.

Efforts to contact the school were unsuccessful.

The Independent Schools Association of South Africa said they would be able to comment on the matter today.

Provincial secretary of the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), Jonavon Rustin, called for an investigation into the alleged remarks.

“We are deeply disturbed that … one of our own in the profession makes derogatory comments towards black people, this should be dealt with in the harshest forms,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Good Party has written an open letter to DF Malan High School in Bellville expressing their concerns about allegations that LGBTQI+ members and supporters within the school were being threatened, intimidated and victimised.

“The reports that LGBTQI+ members and supporters within your school are being threatened, intimidated and victimised and have been denied from recognising Pride Month under such circumstances are concerning. Reports that the school management has now even banned pro-pride events and gatherings at the school suggests a failure of the school leadership in tackling this abuse.”

Education MEC Debbie Schäfer last week said an investigation by the district was currently under way to establish the full facts of the matter.