[Imagesource:pexels]

The Gauteng Education Department (GDE) is addressing a recent incident involving a 13-year-old pupil from Crowthorne Christian Academy who was allegedly prevented from attending school due to her hairstyle, which reportedly violated the school’s new hair policy.

The Grade 8 student said that she removed from her classroom earlier this week due to what the school staff deemed ‘dreadlocks’, causing a video of the altercation to go viral on social media.

The video shows a woman, believed to be the student’s mother, engaged in a dispute with a man, presumably a school staff member, about the hair policy.

The mother defends her daughter’s natural hair, explaining that her child does not wear hair extensions, while the man is seen forcefully removing both the student and her mother from the room. What made the whole kerfuffle even more awful was that the violent moment occurred during school hours, where other pupils can be seen walking past, exposed to the hectic scene.

Before you watch the clip, please note that the video includes swearing and emotional scenes. I advise a cup of tea afterwards, it’s intense footage. No one likes to see a child get pushed around, yeesh.

An assault charge has been opened with police
after a man is seen pushing a minor. There was a dispute over the learner’s extentions/dreadlocks. The incident took place at the Crowthorne Christian School in Midrand, Johannesburg. Video as received. pic.twitter.com/sI2rNTeydN

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 15, 2023

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the case and noted that no arrests have been made thus far. The incident not only highlights the ongoing discussions around school hair policies and the need for sensitivity in addressing issues related to students’ appearance, but also the sad reality that schools like this can act with impunity.

Oh, did I mention that the school is not even officially recognised in the eyes of the SA’s Education Department? Ja, that was quite quickly glossed over by the education department.

“It must be noted the school is illegally operating, and the pupil was offered alternative schooling and counselling by the GDE … We are assisting the school to comply and encourage all unregistered institutions to engage with the department for assistance with registration processes,” said Mabona.

What about counselling for all the kids who saw one of the staff members throwing hands? How is it possible that the school is ‘illegal’? I’m left with way more questions than answers after this whole palaver and am definitely in need of a cuppa to sooth myself. Go put on the kettle.

[source:thecitizen]