Around 100 locals held a peaceful picket outside Spine Road
High on Thursday 20 February, at the end of the school day, following news of
the alleged suicide of the school’s Grade 9 learner Niyaaz Smith at his New
Woodlands home the day before.
Social-media and community groups allege the incident was
the result of bullying, not only from learners but an educator as well.
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education
Department, said the department was informed of the teenager’s death, but that
the allegations were false.
“Our condolences to the family, friends and the school
community for their loss. Counselling support has been offered to the
school. We are, however, concerned about the various stories doing the
rounds of what led to this incident. Various allegations are being put out
on social media. The school, however, has confirmed there have been no
previous reports of bullying involving the learner at the school.”
A second allegation was that Niyaaz was requested to remove
his Islamic headgear, when the school had a policy of accommodating cultural
and religious accommodations in its policy on the school uniform. TygerBurger
had occasion to observe the policy in practice on visiting the school on
Thursday (20 February), including allowing the wearing of hijabs and modest
floor-length school dresses by female learners.
“The WCED is investigating, but also asks that we do
not speculate until such information is confirmed,” said Hammond. “We
appeal to the public to remember that a family and school community are
grieving a terrible loss, so please allow them the space to do so with respect
and dignity, and without disruption.”
Niyaaz was buried according to Muslim burial rites today,
Friday 21 February.
Read more on this story in our next edition.
