School bullying is nothing new. It is not only the children who
engage in intimidation and racism tactics, but it is also the teachers
who commit the worst atrocities. The Carolina Academic School, situated
in Mpumalanga, South Africa, is under the radar and parents are
concerned about the conduct toward children. Former President Thabo
Mbeki said, “To fight racism‚ the state needed to strengthen its legal
capacity and ensure that the school curriculum inculcated “the values of
non-racialism and non-sexism.” While slow progress might be happening
at several schools around the country, some remain a nightmare for
parents as is the case at the Carolina school.
Carolina Academic School is dominantly black and there are
approximately 200 white pupils, which average about a third of the total
scholars. Reports that children are treated poorly and hit with fists
while teachers scream and swear at the pupils. Some teachers remain rude
and throw textbooks out of the window when children are found to be
annoying. When parents consult with the headmaster, there is never a
direct answer but a promise to get back to them once the investigation
is done and parents never hear another word.
Recently, some white children were expelled from school, and although
there were a few black kids who were caught with drugs, nothing
happened. When this issue was raised, the principal said that the school
cannot take action against black pupils because they pay school fees
and white children do not. Furthermore, when black or Indian children
arrive at school late, no punishment is issued, yet when white children
arrive late, detention is handed down.
Not long ago, two matric learners dropped out of school because the
pupils could not cope with the abuse from teachers, who always told the
matrics that they were pathetic and would not achieve any good in life.
The learners were told not to set their foot in the classroom.
A matric student at the Carolina Academic School, who was assaulted
by a teacher got away with no investigation, and that was after the
teacher tried to attack the same pupil twice. When the parents, along
with the teacher and principal, discussed the matter, the teacher sought
to attack the mother. Once again, the issue was ignored.
Teachers continue to bully the kids at school, and the children
remain depressed with suicidal thoughts, yet the situation continues to
worsen. There was a pupil who was always attacked by the teachers, and
this situation went on for years, the child was even punched until blood
was visible and the principal ignored the incident.
Athletic events at the school are a joke and nothing more than a
gathering for teachers to drink alcohol with parents. Rugby is a tough
game and unfairness prevails in this sport. The first rugby team of the
school does not allow all the pupils of the school to engage in matches.
Instead, children who have left the school and some young men who work
in mines close by are called to participate in games. Inter-school games
remain unfair when the school children do not take part and outsiders
are brought in to play. Another outcry from children and parents are the
exclusion of white pupils from participating in Netball.
Parents have contacted the Gauteng Education Department (GED) and
lodged formal complaints. Emails, phone calls, and visits from parents
are ignored. The GED has yet to investigate and respond. Moreover,
children have threatened to commit suicide. Yet, the question
remains–will the authorities take action before an untimely death is
announced?.................................
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE - PUBLISHED TODAY ON THE GUARDIAN LV - HERE IS THE LINK
http://guardianlv.com/2016/04/racism-and-bullying-at-carolina-academic-school/
