In response to a recent article published on Surgezirc SA, Curro Holdings, a prominent educational institution, has taken immediate action to address a post that sparked public outrage.
The image in question depicted children in potentially stereotypical roles, leading to heated discussions about representation and sensitivity.
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On Monday, Curro posted an image on social media that portrayed children in various roles. This included a black child as a Checkers cashier, white children withdrawing money from Capitec Bank, and another white child as an animal vet. The optics of this portrayal raised eyebrows and resulted in immediate backlash.
Curro swiftly removed the post and issued a public apology. In a statement sent to Surgezirc SA, the school pledged to thoroughly investigate the incident and take measures to prevent any recurrence of such regrettable incidents.
Subsequent investigations shed light on the context behind the images. It was revealed that these children had participated in an excursion at a Curro school in the Western Cape, where they visited an activity centre. During this outing, they had the opportunity to play alternate roles, including those of a cashier, a veterinarian, and a banker.
Importantly, the images were used with parental consent in accordance with existing policies. The relevant school community did not express offence when the post appeared on its community page.
According to Curro, the mother of the child depicted as a cashier confirmed that her daughter was not stereotyped during the session. In fact, she had the chance to play all the roles, and her teacher shared additional pictures showing the fun she had.
Curro told Surgezirc SA that the mother expressed dissatisfaction with the public interpretation of her daughter’s image, emphasizing that it was taken out of context and used divisively.
The school further stated, “Although the images captured joyful play and educational experiences, they did not fully convey this message to the public. As a result, the public criticism diverged from Curro’s core values of diversity and non-racism, as well as their commitment to ensuring that every child matters.”
To address this matter head-on, Curro has implemented the following steps:
- Immediate Suspension: The campaign and associated social media activities responsible for the incident have been suspended.
- Comprehensive Review: Curro is reevaluating all social media practices, policies, and guidelines from the ground up.
- External Expertise: Independent experts are conducting a thorough review and facilitating workshops and training sessions for the social media team.
- Enhanced Onboarding: Staff members will receive improved onboarding to ensure a deep understanding of Curro’s values and policies.
- Awareness Campaign: Senior and mid-level leadership across Curro schools will undergo awareness and sensitivity training related to social media.
“Curro remains committed to creating school environments that are welcoming, nurturing, and inclusive. The school acknowledges any shortcomings and is dedicated to continuous improvement,” read part of the statement.
Curro also told SurgeZirc SA the school is committed to learning from this incident and fostering an environment where every child thrives.
As they continue their internal reflection, SurgeZirc SA remains vigilant, ensuring that this incident serves as a catalyst for meaningful change.
