Govt to probe extent of racism in education

The Department of Education is to investigate the extent of racism and other forms of discrimination in higher education, it said on Monday.

A ministerial committee is expected to look into discrimination based on gender, ethnicity and disability, with a particular focus on university residences, said spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele in a statement.

It will also make recommendations on how to combat this and how to promote social cohesion.

Professor Crain Soudien from the University of Cape Town’s school of education will chair the committee.

Other members include chief executive of the Human Sciences Research Council Dr Olive Shisana and acting rector of Vista University Professor Sipho Seepe.

The probe follows the surfacing of a controversial video at the University of the Free State in February. It depicts a mock initiation of five black staff members into hostel activities by white students and refers openly to the university’s integration policy for campus residences.—Sapa