Infighting cripples DHPS racism reforms

RECOMMENDATIONS by a committee set up to advise how the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS) could tackle racism at the institution have been ignored over the years.

Four years ago, the school formed a committee called Action Group Encounter or AGE to deal with discrimination and racism at the school funded by the German government.

That committee – made up of parents and teachers – has been ineffective and is being undermined because of reluctance by the school authorities to implement its recommendations.

That 21-member committee has been rocked by heated debates and resignations, with two teachers and one parent having quit the committee last week.

That committee is highly divided with allegations that some members often claim “all lives matter” when the racism talk heats up during deliberations, while other views are seen as being too radical.

The chairperson of the committee, Nadine Tuneeko, who only joined the committee this year, confirmed to The Namibian yesterday that they had failed making progress because of constant infighting.

She said last week’s meeting was heated and dominated by accusations and counter-accusations instead of fulfilling the committee’s mandate.

“We are supposed to work together but the group is too divided. We have the responsibility to correct things but we cannot do that if we are divided. There is so much infighting,” she said.

Tuneeko said there are plans to hold a workshop to educate committee members about racism and prejudice to enable them to discuss matters with an informed opinion.

Sources said the committee had made several proposals to tackle racism over the years but these were ignored.

A summary of recommendations made over the years suggested steps to be taken when racist incidents happened.

These include an immediate response after the alleged incidents are reported.

Other steps include compassion, clear consequences, transparency and developing more detailed guidelines and policies for dealing with racist incidents.

The school has been advised to design, roll out and report back on a school climate survey with focus on racism/discrimination.

This, the recommendation said, would allow the school to get feedback on efforts to fight racism.

“Review the DHPS constitution, key policies and other areas of governance in an inclusive process that allows for more diverse views, and cultures to be represented in order to create a better and more inclusive foundation for the school in future,” another recommendation said.

Suggestions were also made for the appointment of an ombudsperson to deal with racism and discrimination and for educating stakeholders through African films, books and literature.

“Identify problematic classes or situations regarding discrimination. Prepare policy on racial discrimination and discrimination in general,” the committee added.

The school was also advised to carry out a historical analysis of DHPS and to hear experiences of pupils and draw conclusions for the future, and engage former pupils to hear their experiences.

The school has, however, failed to explain why the committee is not being supported with its mandate.

Principal Kristin Eichholz is said to be pushing for reforms but the school board is allegedly blocking her.

The Namibian reported yesterday that black pupils at DHPS claim they are being subjected to continued racism from peers, amid concerns that the school is downplaying these incidents.

These allegations are contained in a report that summarised a racism and prejudice discussion organised by Grade 11 and 12 pupil representatives on 2 July this year.

According to the pupils, some “experienced racial slurs and stereotyping such as being called the N (n*gg*rs) or K (k*ff*r) words”.