Race spat at school - 2 held

2008-02-26 17:05

Johannesburg - Two pupils were arrested after tension over racism erupted into violence at Riverlea Secondary school in western Johannesburg, the Gauteng Education Department said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Nanagole Leopeng said two boys were arrested apparently for fighting. She said pupils were alleging there was racism and racially based teacher favouritism at the school.

Fighting apparently broke out at the school on Tuesday when one group of pupils wanted to march to complain about racism and another group opposed them.

No one was injured, said Leopeng.

She said a meeting had been held with the department and the school, its principal and its governing board about the incident.

The meeting resolved that racism between teachers and students must be stopped and that weapons would not be tolerated at the school.

Leopeng said weapons were found at the school, but she could not say what they were.

She said education department officials from the district would work with the school to make it safe.

"We are going to monitor the school very closely."

- SAPA