Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

3 September, 2016

Progress update at Sans Souci Girls High School.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Yesterday (Friday, 2 September 2016) at my request a senior level delegation from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) visited Sans Souci High School.

The delegation comprised Tau Matseliso, Deputy Director-General: Institutional Development and Coordination, Clifton Frolick, Chief Director: Districts, Sanette Nowers, Director: Metro Central Education District, and Amanda Engelbrecht, the Circuit Manager.

The delegation spent the day speaking to learners, staff and former learners at the school. The discussions form an important part of the investigation into the recent serious allegations of racism and discrimination at the school. The investigation is ongoing.

I subsequently joined the delegation to hear about the issues first hand. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for me and my officials to listen to the learners and for the learners to put forward their case to me and the department. I am extremely concerned about some shocking allegations that were brought to my attention yesterday. I am equally concerned that they say that they sent a complaint to the Department in 2011 which was seemingly not acknowledged and yielded no change.

The learners requested that I meet with them on Monday evening to receive the memorandum of grievances that they did not want to hand over yesterday as they wanted all the learners involved to be present. I agreed to do so.

I also acknowledge the fact that many learners fear being victimised as a result of their action this week. In the light of this, it was decided that the Principal will not report to the school on Monday and that the school circuit manager, Ms Engelbrecht will be at the school to provide support and ensure that there is no victimisation. In addition, the WCED Safe Schools Directorate will arrange for counselling to be available for any learners who have been traumatised by the events this week and prior events.

Meanwhile the learners asked whether, on Monday, they could wear braids in their hair. My response was that I see nothing wrong with braids as long as their hair is neat and tidy. Whilst I am fully aware that I do not determine schools' codes of conduct, I was of the view that it has taken so long for the policy to change to allow for cultural differences that as long as the girls look neat there is nothing wrong with braids. I trust that this will form part of the discussion in formulating the new policy.

I was also informed that the current group who are dealing with the new policy does not include one Black African learner, despite the majority of learners at the school being Black African. This is just unacceptable.

I want to see a new Code of Conduct by the end of September 2016 adopted by the governing body after an inclusive process has been followed, and Mr Matseliso will be overseeing this process with the district staff.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663