Students suspended for ‘auctioning off’ their black classmates in an apparent racist incident at Pinelands High School have returned to class.
Also read: Pinelands High learners suspended after ‘auctioning’ black classmates
The Western Cape Department of Education confirmed to News24 on Wednesday that the suspended students are being accommodated at the school.
‘In terms of the provincial regulations relating to discipline, suspension and expulsion of learners at public schools in the Western Cape, a learner can be precautionary [sic] suspended for a period of up to seven school days.’
‘The learners are, therefore, being accommodated at the school while the process is continuing, in line with these regulations,’ said the provincial education department’s spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond.
Hammond also stated that the disciplinary hearings at Pinelands High are ongoing.
‘The hearing requires the attendance of a large number of role players and has been scheduled to accommodate everyone in terms of their availability. The school would like to conclude the matter as soon as possible,’ she said.
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A video that showed some students ‘auctioning off’ their black classmates went viral at the end of the previous month after being caught on camera and circulated on social media.
The video, titled ‘Slavery at Schools is Crazy,’ featured black students in a caged space that seemed like it was meant to hold bicycles and umbrellas, while coloured students outside the enclosure were soliciting bids.
The students were put on ‘precautionary suspension,’ according to a letter from the school’s governing board to parents at the time.
The letter stated that the school has long grappled with the injustices of the past, and this incident served as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of our ongoing conversations about race, privilege, bullying, social media pranks and the impact of our words and actions in both the physical and digital world.
The letter said the students would remain on precautionary suspension pending the ‘conclusion of the ongoing investigation’.
Hammond stated that the department’s intervention would be inappropriate at this point.
‘To intervene at this stage would be inappropriate. The school is taking action in terms of the relevant disciplinary procedures as outlined in the SA Schools Act. They are complying with the regulations and we must allow this process to take its course,’ she said.
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Also read:
Pinelands High teacher reveals racism at school as five pupils face disciplinary hearing
Picture: Feliphe Schiarolli / Unsplash