Gauteng Department Of Education Shares Result Of Its Investigation Into Controversial Curro Social Media Post

The Gauteng Department of Education has shared a report of its investigation into the controversial Curro social media post that sparked outrage online a few days ago.

SurgeZirc SA previously contacted the management of Curro for a comment regarding the said photo, which depicted a black learner sitting as a cashier. At the same time, some other white kids were seen playing different roles, and the school responded with a clarification that there was no undertone to the photos as it has zero tolerance for racism.

In a statement signed by MEC Matome Chiloane shared with SurgeZirc SA, the Gauteng Department of Education reports that it conducted a preliminary investigation on the matter concerning a social media post by Curro, which members of the public found to have racist undertones, and found that:

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“Our findings were that the learners depicted in the pictures used in the social media post were from a Curro school in the Western Cape. They went on an excursion to an activity centre where they interacted within various career contexts using career-specific apparatus.

“In this activity centre, most children had to exchange roles to experience different careers, and photos were taken of them interacting within those career roles. One child could have gone through three to four roles by the end of the day. There is pictorial evidence of different children playing different roles.

The department found the error in the social media handler selectively posting pictures that excluded some learners playing other roles, which sparked public outrage.

The statement continues, “The pictures that were posted on social media were initially shared internally within the school for a week, and there were no challenges. The error of judgment was to selectively post pictures that excluded some learners playing in other career roles, causing a public outcry as a result.

“The mother of the learner depicted as a cashier in one of the photos that were posted is aware of the matter and has expressed support for the school. She has also given the school permission to engage in the matter. Accordingly, Curro operates on four core values: child friendliness, Christian ethos, creativity and positive discipline.

“In cases where there are infringements to the core values of the group, those who are found guilty are held accountable. In the investigation, Curro Holdings expressed a zero tolerance towards discrimination of any kind, in particular, racial discrimination. An example of this is the dismissal of the headmaster at one Curro school who had called black teachers monkeys.

“Curro has established an ethics and social transformation committee. This committee coordinates programmes and campaigns for transformation, inclusion and social justice in all layers of the school group.

“Curro Holdings also conducts surveys on an annual basis to staff, parents and learners across its campuses to assess, among other things, whether
all stakeholders feel included. Most of the results come out positive.

The statement also noted that there are few cases of none-inclusion in the school but Curro would investigate such cases and intervene.

“However, there are fewer instances of non-inclusion. In these cases, Curro Holdings investigates and intervenes. This case in question, according to the Deputy CEO, has strengthened the resolve to intensify diversity and non-racism programmes in the school,
coupled with the appropriate use of social media.

“We are satisfied that Curro takes social cohesion seriously. Their footprint in Gauteng’s education system is significant, hence we will always intervene in matters that involve racial discrimination at schools,” said MEC Matome Chiloane.

Curro Holdings also shared in a statement that it welcomed the findings of the preliminary investigation by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) into the recent social media post that caused public concern.

In an attached statement supporting the GDE findings, Curro reiterates that it “announced on Thursday, April 4, the details of further steps which it is taking following the incident.

“This includes a full review of social media practices, policies and guidelines with the help of external experts and more intensive onboarding for staff on our values and policies. We are also running a social media sensitivity awareness campaign for school leadership.”