At the meeting, the Commission was advised that the teacher was a substitute teacher who had been given a temporary role the previous week and that she was immediately dismissed from her role following the release of the video. The school immediately condemned the teacher’s conduct and offered an unreserved apology to learners, parents, the greater schooling community, and the rest of the country for the hurt caused. The school also immediately worked together with the Gauteng Department of Basic Education and the MEC, to address the matter, with the Department releasing a statement detailing actions taken and the cooperation provided by the school.

An investigation has also been undertaken by the South African Council of Educators (SACE).

Crawford College International, Pretoria, and the Commission have broadly agreed to the following:

• Yesterday the Commission met with the Crawford International Pretoria management team as part of their investigation;
• The SAHRC will lend its assistance through its advocacy mandate to conduct workshops at the school on equality, in addition to the school’s existing Respect Diversity Inclusion programme;
• As part of its advocacy intervention, the SAHRC will provide the College with access to its teaching toolkits for use within the school’s diversity programme;
• The SAHRC will offer mediation and negotiation services to the school and its immediate stakeholders if required to help facilitate the resolution of any issues or areas that need to be reviewed and
• The SAHRC will request the investigative report from SACE.

In response to the SAHRC’s commitments, Crawford College International, Pretoria Executive Principal Ms. Naidoo, noted that the school is grateful for the participation, support, and valuable input from the SAHRC.

ENDS

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission and Crawford College International Pretoria

Zamantungwa Mbeki, Gauteng Provincial Manager 0837206600