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Allegations of racial bias resurface at Peterhouse Boys School
Peterhouse Boys School (PHB), a prestigious Anglican-run institution, is once again embroiled in controversy following renewed allegations of racial discrimination, with claims of victimisation of black teachers and learners in favour of white staff members.
In 2020, the private school made headlines for similar allegations, with black teachers and students reporting experiences of segregation and racial bias. Now, disgruntled staff members have come forward, anonymously revealing troubling developments under the leadership of the recently appointed Head of Studies, who is accused of orchestrating a "cleansing" of black teachers by levelling unfounded charges against them.
A source within the school alleged that several black teachers are currently facing disciplinary hearings, with some being dismissed and replaced by white teachers on what are described as "trumped-up" charges. The insider expressed concerns over the school's hiring practices, noting that the institution is recruiting teachers from as far afield as Australia, despite the availability of skilled local talent.
"It appears that the school has an unwritten strategy to attract more white students," the source said. "They are trying to follow trends at other schools, attracting more white students by removing black teachers, who are now seen as a hindrance to achieving this goal."
Additional insiders claim that black teachers are being burdened with excessive workloads, fewer teaching periods, and more demanding conditions, which some believe are set up to fail. In contrast, white teachers are allegedly given lighter loads and more teaching periods to produce better results, contributing to an atmosphere of racial inequality.
At the heart of the issue is the school's underperformance in the 2024 Ordinary and Advanced Level exams. Peterhouse Boys reportedly achieved a pass rate of 77.6%, significantly lower than the 96% recorded by Peterhouse Girls, which has a higher proportion of white teachers and students. The insiders suggest that the disparity in results may be linked to the racial dynamics at the school, with the preference for white teachers and students potentially affecting the overall academic performance.
Additionally, allegations have surfaced regarding the salary disparity between black and white teachers. Black teachers are reportedly earning less than US$1,500, while the incoming white teachers from Australia and the UK may be receiving significantly higher salaries, further fuelling concerns over racial bias in pay and employment practices.
One insider claimed that the school's administration has been opaque about the actual pass rates at Peterhouse Boys, sharing different sets of results with parents, teachers, and the administration. A letter of complaint was reportedly sent by concerned parents, prompting the rector to issue an apology acknowledging the poor performance.
"Some members of the management now suspect that the poor results could be related to the racial bias in the staff appointments, with the white teachers being preferred even when their competencies may not be on par," said the source.
When contacted for comment, Peterhouse Group of Schools Rector Jon Trafford dismissed the allegations, asserting that the institution upholds the highest standards of transparency.
"The Peterhouse Group is not in the habit of disclosing information which may impinge on the privacy of its staff. There are very clear policies within the school relating to the management of staff welfare and well-being," Trafford said.
On the topic of the examination results, he emphasized that the school has always been transparent about its results and has communicated them clearly to parents. "There should be no confusion with respect to our 2024 results at all three levels of public examination," he added.
Trafford also addressed the claims linking school fees and exam results, describing such assertions as "tenuous" and lacking insight into the factors that contribute to academic success. He further expressed appreciation for feedback, though he cautioned that public opinions may not always reflect the true situation within the school.
As the allegations continue to spark debate, Peterhouse Boys School faces growing scrutiny over its handling of racial issues and academic performance, raising questions about the institution's commitment to equality and transparency.
Allegations of racial bias resurface at Peterhouse Boys School
Peterhouse Boys School (PHB), a prestigious Anglican-run institution, is once again embroiled in controversy following renewed allegations of racial discrimination, with claims of victimisation of black teachers and learners in favour of white staff members.
In 2020, the private school made headlines for similar allegations, with black teachers and students reporting experiences of segregation and racial bias. Now, disgruntled staff members have come forward, anonymously revealing troubling developments under the leadership of the recently appointed Head of Studies, who is accused of orchestrating a "cleansing" of black teachers by levelling unfounded charges against them.
A source within the school alleged that several black teachers are currently facing disciplinary hearings, with some being dismissed and replaced by white teachers on what are described as "trumped-up" charges. The insider expressed concerns over the school's hiring practices, noting that the institution is recruiting teachers from as far afield as Australia, despite the availability of skilled local talent.
"It appears that the school has an unwritten strategy to attract more white students," the source said. "They are trying to follow trends at other schools, attracting more white students by removing black teachers, who are now seen as a hindrance to achieving this goal."
Additional insiders claim that black teachers are being burdened with excessive workloads, fewer teaching periods, and more demanding conditions, which some believe are set up to fail. In contrast, white teachers are allegedly given lighter loads and more teaching periods to produce better results, contributing to an atmosphere of racial inequality.
At the heart of the issue is the school's underperformance in the 2024 Ordinary and Advanced Level exams. Peterhouse Boys reportedly achieved a pass rate of 77.6%, significantly lower than the 96% recorded by Peterhouse Girls, which has a higher proportion of white teachers and students. The insiders suggest that the disparity in results may be linked to the racial dynamics at the school, with the preference for white teachers and students potentially affecting the overall academic performance.
Additionally, allegations have surfaced regarding the salary disparity between black and white teachers. Black teachers are reportedly earning less than US$1,500, while the incoming white teachers from Australia and the UK may be receiving significantly higher salaries, further fuelling concerns over racial bias in pay and employment practices.
One insider claimed that the school's administration has been opaque about the actual pass rates at Peterhouse Boys, sharing different sets of results with parents, teachers, and the administration. A letter of complaint was reportedly sent by concerned parents, prompting the rector to issue an apology acknowledging the poor performance.
"Some members of the management now suspect that the poor results could be related to the racial bias in the staff appointments, with the white teachers being preferred even when their competencies may not be on par," said the source.
When contacted for comment, Peterhouse Group of Schools Rector Jon Trafford dismissed the allegations, asserting that the institution upholds the highest standards of transparency.
"The Peterhouse Group is not in the habit of disclosing information which may impinge on the privacy of its staff. There are very clear policies within the school relating to the management of staff welfare and well-being," Trafford said.
On the topic of the examination results, he emphasized that the school has always been transparent about its results and has communicated them clearly to parents. "There should be no confusion with respect to our 2024 results at all three levels of public examination," he added.
Trafford also addressed the claims linking school fees and exam results, describing such assertions as "tenuous" and lacking insight into the factors that contribute to academic success. He further expressed appreciation for feedback, though he cautioned that public opinions may not always reflect the true situation within the school.
As the allegations continue to spark debate, Peterhouse Boys School faces growing scrutiny over its handling of racial issues and academic performance, raising questions about the institution's commitment to equality and transparency.
Source - the herald
