School allows ‘natural hair’

“A form of natural hair” will now be allowed at Pretoria High School for Girls, “provided that it is neat, well maintained”, the school’s principal said.

“Natural hair should not impede or restrict the view of any other [pupils] from seeing the teacher, the board or any other educational aid or device,” said school principal Phillipa Erasmus.

Last week, black pupils at the school protested against the school’s “racism” and the “policy” which requires them to “straighten their hair”.

Erasmus also said the teasing of hair was not acceptable. She was responding to a memorandum of alleged racial practices at the school handed to the Tshwane south district director Hilda Kekana by the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) this month.

Erasmus was present at the handing over of the memorandum. She also addressed the issue of isiZulu being offered at the school, mentioned in the memorandum, by saying the school would conduct a survey on the number of pupils aspiring to enrol for isiZulu as a subject.

“Due process will be followed,” said Erasmus. The introduction of any other official language would be determined by the required numbers of learners to constitute a class, availability of learning and teaching support material, availability of personnel; etc.

Erasmus said a full review of its code of conduct involving all interested parties was undertaken in 2016 and 2017, and again in 2018/2019.

She said all stakeholders were invited to provide input on potential changes.

“Our code of conduct will once again be under annual review in the last quarter of the year. All stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input.”

Erasmus said the school would establish an independent body to investigate the alleged institutional racism at the school.

The school governing body, the school management team, with the support of the Gauteng education department, were “embarking on a journey to address institutional and systemic issues that undermine the school’s ability to build a vibrant and healthy community”.

She said a review of employment processes to reflect diversity was addressed “as and when vacancies open up”.

“We are motivated to enable change that would be authentic, equitable and participatory.”

ANC youth league branch chairperson Sello Mangwane said in the memorandum that teachers at the school “perpetuate racism a lot” and that “nothing gets done about it”. – Caxton News Service