Decision to ban pupils from using African languages retracted
Boksburg Christian Academy has retracted its decision of banning African-speaking pupils to speak their home language at the school. The Advertiser learned before the retraction that the principal of the school, Brenda Hills, asked parents to instruct their children to refrain from speaking in African languages, and to speak only English.
At the time, the decision was met with objections from one of the parents, who is reported to have said it is a tactic that the school uses to discriminate against African-speaking pupils.
Hills at the time denied that the decision was made to discriminate against blacks. The reason for the proposed ban, according to Hills, was to help pupils improve their English skills and to make it easier for the teachers to correct incorrect talking or behaviour.
“Our aim is to make sure that they are confident in using English as a language, and this is why we thought it was a good idea for them just to speak English.
“I understand that some people may have misunderstood the intent of the school when we introduced the policy. We apologise to anyone who was offended.
“The instruction was, therefore, meant to help pupils who are not proficient in English; children after all have a lot of time to speak the languages of their choice on weekends, after school and during school holidays. Hills says she has sent an apology letter to the Department of Education regarding her decision, which is declared unconstitutional, because it infringes on the children’s right to freedom of speech. According to Hill, the department accepted her apology.
She has already drafted a letter for the parents, notifying them of the reversal of the ban at the start of next year.
Hills revealed that of the 117 pupils at the school, half are black pupils, and she loves them as she loves herself.
Brenda Hill has called the kids in to her office on many occasions telling them they must behave like Civilized humans and not “flappies”. She has called them many things and when you confrunt her she runs and hides! we as parents are sick and tired of this woman hiding behind her bible and calling herself a good Christian!
I’m glad that you have put her once again in the spot light.
She needs to know that there are people who are taking notice of what she is doing!