PIONIERSPARK Primary School in Windhoek has come under fire for a question on their application form, which requires parents to fill in the ethnicity of the parents and of the child.
The enrolment application form (pictured), seen by , shows that both parents and the child have to indicate their ethnic groups. The government school offers classes in Afrikaans or English.
A concerned parent, who preferred anonymity, feared that asking a child’s ethnicity could discriminate against them in finding a placement at the school.
The parent said it should not be allowed for a government school to ask which ethnic group a child belongs to.
“An ethnic group has nothing to do with languages offered at the school,” the parent stressed.
She added that the form already makes provision for home languages, and also asks parents to indicate which stream, whether English or Afrikaans, would best suit their child.
The school’s principal, Ryno Brand, yesterday explained that the reason for having questions about ethnic groups on the form is for parents to indicate if the child will belong to the Afrikaans or English class.
He said parents should indicate this in order for children to be placed in the appropriate classes.
School board chairperson Eddie Turner said he plans to bring up the issue of ethnicity on the application form at the next board meeting on Tuesday next week.
He further explained that the question of ethnicity stems from the old application form, and the board wants it removed.
Turner added that except for statistical reasons, the requirement for ethnicity has no other purpose at the school.
“Consideration of candidates should not be determined by ethnicity,” he said, noting that the school has made strides not to discriminate against any ethnic group, and to accommodate different people.
Education’s executive director Sanet Steenkamp said the ministry has a standard application form for state schools available on its website. However, some schools adjust the format to meet data needs, as informed by the school environment and dynamics.
“The ministry is advised that by law, it is not illegal to collect such information on ethnicity. However, what would be unethical or illegal is when the information is used to discriminate against any sub-groups of the population,” she stated.
Steenkamp further said the ministry, through the regional directorate of education, has commissioned an inspection into the alleged practice at the school.
The ministry will continue to investigate if there are any other similar cases.
“We also urge parents to contact the directorates of education in their respective regions on any aspects or grievances related to the application for admission at any state school,” she said.
The executive director added that the ministry has in place various frameworks and instruments that guide schools and ministerial operations, which recognise fundamental human rights and zero tolerance to discrimination.
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