Parent of TVHS pupil concerned over school's failure to act against teacher for allegedly using K-word

CAPE TOWN - The parent of a grade 12 learner at Table View High School has expressed concern after the school failed to take action against a teacher for allegedly using the K-word.

The parent said it was unacceptable that the school was allowing the teacher to continue teaching while the allegations of racism were being investigated.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed the alleged incident, saying the allegations were being addressed.

The parent said that his daughter came home from school on Wednesday last week, feeling angry and useless.

He said that she told him a history teacher called his daughter and her friends the K-word, saying they were privileged to be taught by her and later refused to apologise.

The girl's father said that after enquiring with the school and the WCED, he found out that the teacher was allowed back in class the next day.

"My gripe with the whole thing is that how do you allow the same person who a group of children, black children, laid a complaint against and a complaint that is so serious, that this person should not have been allowed to go back to the same class because then it means that this person is encouraged to continue." 

WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said that the incident was being investigated.

"The school did act immediately on the allegations that a racist word was used as part of a history lesson on black consciousness and has submitted a report to the department, including statements from the learners."

Hammond said that the school was monitoring the classroom practice of the teacher and an investigation, which could result in a disciplinary hearing,  was underway.