MEC Lesufi’s decision on Curro Roodeplaat

26 June 2015

The Gauteng Department of Education took a decision to withdraw the operating licence of Curro Roodeplaat (effectively closing down the school), following new allegations of racial segregation by the school.

The MEC informed the management of Curro Roodeplaat Primary of this decision, upon which the management of Curro Holdings requested an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.

 The MEC met with the CEO and a Board Member of Curro Holdings on Wednesday, 24 June 2015. During this meeting the Management of Curro Holdings pleaded with the MEC not to withdraw the operating licence of Curro Roodeplaat. They assured the MEC that racial segregation does not form part of their policies and that corrective measures will be taken against any school affiliated to the company that practices segregation.

The Management of Curro Holdings undertook to make the following interventions with regard to Curro Roodeplaat:

- The existing executive head of Curro Roodeplaat Primary will be replaced, whilst the management structure at the school will be expanded to include a new operational head.

- That a diversity consultant will be appointed to assist the school with any matters relating to transformation and diversity at the school.

- Curro Holdings acknowledged the MEC’s questions regarding employment equity, especially with regards to the small number of black educators among Curro staff. In this regard Curro welcomed MEC Mr Lesufi’s offer that the department would assist where necessary with the recruitment and selection suitably qualified educators to achieve employment equity targets.

- Curro Holding committed that in future schools trips learners will be transported together and will not be separated according to language or race.

- The Department has already met with Public Investment Commission (PIC), Human Rights Commission (HRC) and other relevant stakeholders.

- That the lawyer’s letter sent by Curro Roodeplaat Primary to the parents that took the video will be withdrawn.

On the basis of this commitment by Curro Holdings, the department has suspended its plans to withdraw the licence of the school pending the implementation of the above undertakings by Curro Holdings. The Company has been given until the end of October 2015 tom implement these resolutions.

Statement issued by the Gauteng Department of Education, June 26 2015