AfriForum Slams Gauteng Education Department for Alleged Political Meddling in Pretoria School

AfriForum, the South African civil-rights organization, has expressed its dismay over the recent actions taken by the Gauteng Department of Education involving Pretoria High School for Girls. The department's decision to launch an independent investigation into alleged racial issues at the school has sparked controversy, with AfriForum describing it as an overt effort to diminish the school’s governing body's authority.

The educational institute has been embroiled in controversy due to accusations of racism. Learners implicated in these allegations were exonerated in a disciplinary hearing. However, the Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, chose to press forward with an additional probe.

Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, perceives these actions as evidence of a biased stance against school governing bodies held by certain education officials. Bailey contends that the governing bodies are democratically elected and should be recognised as allies in the pursuit of high-quality education and safeguarding learners' rights, not as impediments.

The timing of the investigation is also contentious. With matriculants gearing up for their final exams, a period already fraught with immense stress, AfriForum argues that such actions are inconsiderate and distracting, potentially impacting the students' academic performance.

The critique by AfriForum doesn't stop at the singular incident at Pretoria High School for Girls. They have voiced concerns over an apparent trend of governing bodies facing pressure from provincial education authorities. There have been calls to alter language policies in Afrikaans schools, and issues such as the lack of new school constructions are being unfairly placed on governing bodies’ shoulders, according to AfriForum. Additionally, Bailey points out that education departments are slow in responding to complaints from these bodies.

Bailey's pronouncement underscores an apprehension that the BELA Bill, which is currently pending approval from the President, may further facilitate the undermining of school governing bodies. Incidents like those at the Pretoria school, according to AfriForum, serve to manifest an intention to erode these bodies' significance in the educational system.

AfriForum's strong condemnation of the perceived political interference comes with the fear that learners are becoming inadvertent victims within a political struggle for control over educational institutions. Bailey asserts that the ongoing battle for dominance must not be waged at the expense of the learners’ welfare and educational prospects.