The Gauteng Department of Education said it respected the decision handed down by the School Governing Body at the Pretoria High School for Girls, where 12 pupils were cleared of misconduct.
The 12 pupils were suspended last month amid racism allegations.
A three-day disciplinary hearing conducted by the SGB found that there were no wrong doing.
In a statement the school said:
“The proceedings have been finalised and all twelve learners have been found not guilty on all charges. This also includes their prefect status.”
Reacting to the news, the Gauteng Education Department said according to the report the girls were cleared on charges of violence and bullying, disruptive behaviour and violation of school rules due to insufficient evidence.
“The report mentions a WhatsApp group, whose discussions and exchanges within were examined during the disciplinary hearing,” said Department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
“These discussions were part of the evidence presented against the implicated learners. However, according to the SGB, the content from the WhatsApp group was found to be inconclusive and did not substantiate the charges of violence, bullying, or disruptive behaviour.
“The SGB’s ruling further stated inconsistencies in the testimonies and lack of solid evidence from the WhatsApp group contributed to the decision of the SGB to find the learners not guilty.”
The Department said it respected the outcomes as the SGB’s authority as enshrined in the South African Schools Act.
“Therefore, the GDE cannot interfere with the outcome since SGB’s are empowered by law to initiate and facilitate disciplinary hearings against learners.
“As such, any transgression of a school’s code of conduct by a learner is the responsibility of the SGB, to enforce appropriate action accordingly,” explained Mabona.
Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane will be launching an independent investigation into Pretoria High School for Girls to determine whether a culture of racism exists at the school.
“This recourse, which the MEC has decided to pursue, will not investigate the 12 learners, but rather allegations that racism exists at the school.
“This decision is further motivated by the fact that the report of the SGB’s ruling makes no mention of racism or discrimination against learners, whereas there has been a strong presumption of the existence of such at the school.”
MEC Chiloane said they remained dedicated to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all learners.
“In light of these developments, we call for all concerned stakeholders to allow the school to continue with learning and teaching in this critical time where examinations are being conducted.”
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