Teacher removed for racial slur to pupil’s granny

The Gauteng department of education has removed a teacher from Fred Norman Secondary School in Ennerdale following an altercation with a pupil’s grandparent in full view of the pupils.

According to social media users, the incident took place on Friday. In a video that has been circulating on social media, the grandparent and teacher exchange insults in a classroom as the pupils watch.

While it is unclear what the fight was about, the teacher calls the grandparent “trash”, further saying: “I don’t like coloureds, I will never wake up liking coloureds like you. You guys don’t have manners.”

“Trash? You’re calling me trash? Are you calling me trash? You don’t know me,” the grandparent responds, before her granddaughter jumps in and tells the teacher not to “disrespect my grandmother like that”.

The Gauteng education department says it has launched an investigation into circumstances surrounding this incident and will communicate the outcome in due course.

“Accordingly, the affected educator has been precautionarily removed from the school until further notice,” said the department on Monday.

“Educators must always be exemplary figures at our schools by maintaining a high command of good conduct and teaching pupils with dignity. We also implore parents to use appropriate channels to address their grievances.”

Social media users have called for the teacher to be completely removed from the school. Some called on the SA Human Rights Commission to intervene.

“This is offensive and deserves the full might of the law to prevent outbursts of this nature. Please investigate Fred Norman Senior Secondary School in Ennerdale Jhb,” said Hans Gruber.

Matshepo MM said: “Fred Norman Secondary School teacher swearing at a parent. This is truly sad when we have teachers getting paid for nothing, while we have teachers who need jobs.”