Update on intervention at Fish Hoek High School

A diversity intervention, by an external service provider, took place at Fish Hoek High School on Monday 31 October 2022.

What happened caused hurt and division, and the intervention was terminated the very next day, on Tuesday 1 November 2022.

An investigation was launched immediately to ensure accountability for the events that took place and to ensure that it never happens again.

Today, I have taken the following additional action:

• I have instructed the Western Cape Education Department to undertake an urgent review of any policies, guidelines, and/or regulations that govern the Department’s procurement of services by external diversity consultants; and
• I have requested that Western Cape Government Legal Services provides advice regarding legal options relating to the service provider’s conduct during the intervention itself, including whether there is scope for a civil claim for damages in this regard.

We are taking the matter very seriously, and a full investigation into the diversity intervention at Fish Hoek High School is underway.

We must now focus on the learners writing exams, especially the matrics, and ensure that exams can proceed smoothly. Our priority is, and remains, the wellbeing of the learners of our province.