Equal Education told to stop operations

EQUAL Education‚ a wellknown organisation geared at improving education in South Africa‚ has been ordered to stop operations at Western Cape schools due to accusations of sexual misconduct.

On Friday, the organisation announced that its members were “deeply distressed” by the allegations of sexual harassment against three top managers.

All three have tendered their resignation in the last month.

In response yesterday‚ Western Cape education MEC Debbie Schfer expressed her concern saying that Equal Education (EE) worked in schools throughout the province.

She said that while allegations were made by members of the organisation‚ it was not clear if children were involved. And‚ should such allegations be true‚ “this is hardly the type of person we need working in our schools”.

“I have therefore written to Equal Education requesting that they furnish me with the details regarding every interview or engagement conducted by [the men] so far this year with any female pupil in the Western Cape. I have requested the names of pupils‚ the school that these pupils attend‚ the date of the interviews, and who was present during the interviews. I require this information by this Friday‚” said Schfer.

“I have also demanded an undertaking by 5pm Tuesday‚ that they will cease operations in Western Cape schools until such time as we have had an opportunity to meet with them and discuss the way forward. Should we not receive such undertaking‚ we shall instruct our schools not to allow anybody from Equal Education‚ and who is not a pupil at the school‚ onto school premises.”

She has also instructed the province’s Chief Director for Districts to start investigating what measures are taken by NGOs working at schools to vet their members.

She also noted allegations that one of the men allegedly offered a “job for sex” to a volunteer at EE.

Meanwhile, the organisation said in a statement last week that it had acted “swiftly” to address the allegations.