Lesufi dissolves SGB of school in racism row

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has dissolved the school governing body (SGB) of Klipspruit-West Secondary School in Eldorado Park, saying a headmaster should be appointed regardless of race.

This follows a protest at the school this week over the appointment of a black principal which resulted in pupils being unable to attend class.

Angry parents barred them from entering the school, saying that it was a coloured area and there was not enough coloured representation.

Lesufi met with members of the SGB, parents and community members and said that no one in the school had indicated a problem with the process that was followed to appoint a principal.

“My worry is that I did not understand why the SGB can dispute their own recommendation.

“I am here to ask how can the SGB sign and say that the HOD approved this person after you have approved that person you dispute,” Lesufi said.

Earlier in the week, Lesufi said the education department had encouraged the SGB to make recommendations on such appointments because school environments were not the same.

“You need somebody who understands the teachers and the community,” he said.

The SGB said in response that one of the criteria for a headmaster was that they should be Afrikaans speaking as the school is predominantly coloured.

Lesufi said that SGB members have a responsibility to unite the school and that he would not accept anarchy over rationality.

He is yet to make a decision following the appointment of a new principal.