A geography teacher at St John’s College in Johannesburg – found guilty on three serious charges‚ including racism – has been fired‚ says a TimesLIVE report. This followed a visit to the school last week by Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi‚ who reportedly gave the school an ultimatum until 1pm on Friday to sack the teacher. Welcoming the decision‚ Lesufi said the educator had left the school with immediate effect.

The teacher has been allowed to continue teaching at the school despite being found to have victimised pupils based on their race. He was issued with a final written warning and had stepped down from senior positions at the college in addition to also receiving a pay cut.

In a statement on Friday afternoon‚ the Gauteng Education Department said that Lesufi had met earlier in the day with the school’s management team and had expressed his disappointment and unhappiness following the decision to retain the teacher‚ even after he was found guilty following a disciplinary process. The teacher was found guilty of contravening the SA Council of Educator’s Code of Conduct‚ making racist and derogatory statements and for bringing the school into disrepute.

‘The MEC said the final written warning was unsatisfactory considering the seriousness of the charges and the guilty finding against the educator.’ A City Press report notes Keith Arlow said he could not remember some of the incidents during which he made racist comments. However, he did admit to making inappropriate comments, but said he was just joking.

Full TimesLIVE report

Full City Press report

There are calls for the school principal’s head over his handling of the crisis, says a report in The Independent on Saturday. On Friday, a group of former and current pupils of the school, who call themselves #OpenStJohns, said headmaster Paul Edey and chairperson of the council John Patricious had failed in their duty to lead and protect pupils. ‘This is a matter that we view in a very serious light. They must be held accountable for bringing disrepute to the college. They can no longer be trusted to take the college forward,’ their statement read.

Full report in The Independent on Saturday (subscription needed)