An investigation is underway at Drakensberg Secondary School, after allegations of religious intolerance surfaced last week.
Hindu pupils were allegedly asked to remove their red strings by a Muslim teacher, while the principal asked them to hide their red strings.
After the allegations came to light, the school put out a statement saying that an investigation had started on January 21 into the allegations.
However, when questioned about the allegations last week by the POST, the school dismissed that an investigation ever took place.
The Estcourt Hindu Cultural Society had engaged earlier with the principal, the School Governing Body, unions, members of other religious organisations and concerned community members over allegations.
“The Estcourt Hindu Cultural Society strongly advocates for religious and cultural tolerance and emphasises the importance of upholding constitutional rights that protect freedom of religious expression in school. We would like to report that the school has commenced an internal investigation in this regard,” said Drakensberg Secondary.
The issue gained the attention of the Department of Education (DOE) and an independent official investigation has begun for possible racial intolerance.
“According to initial reports two Hindu pupils were asked to remove their red (Luxmi) prayer strings or cover it up during school hours. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is governed by Chapter 2 of the 1996 Constitution of South Africa, also known as the Bill of Rights, which includes the right to freedom of religion, belief, and opinion. This right is found in Section 15 of the Bill of Rights. Freedom of religion. Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, and opinion.
“Religious observances can take place at state-aided or state institutions, but they must be conducted fairly, follow public authority rules, and be free and voluntary, hence, all schools must adhere to the above-mentioned prescripts contained in our Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. To address the allegations of racial intolerance at Drakensberg Secondary School in Estcourt, Department officials have been dispatched to the school to understand the depth of the allegations,” said the KZN DOE.
A meeting is currently underway at the school this morning with concerned Hindu parents.