MARONDERA – Black educators at the prestigious Peterhouse Boys School have reportedly called upon government authorities to step in, citing allegations of systemic racism and discriminatory practices within the institution.
According to several staff members, the school environment has become increasingly difficult for black teachers, who say they are being unfairly treated compared to their white colleagues.
One teacher pointed to unequal privileges, alleging that a white employee in the accounting department is permitted to run a personal dairy business on school premises. Products such as yoghurt, cheese, and fresh cream are reportedly sold from the school’s reprographics room, with a staff member responsible for printing said to be assisting in the sales.
Another white staff member allegedly operates a side business selling honey and chicken products on campus — a freedom that black teachers claim they are not afforded.
“School trips are organised directly by individual teachers instead of being centrally coordinated by the school. These activities, which could potentially involve financial incentives, appear to be a benefit limited to certain senior white staff,” a teacher claimed.
Further allegations suggest that a head of studies is deliberately targeting black teachers, possibly to replace them with foreign educators from countries such as the UK and Australia.
Amid the outcry, the school’s Rector, Jon Trafford, declined to address the accusations substantively. He emphasised the school’s policy of protecting staff confidentiality and dismissed the claims as misrepresentations.
“We do not typically comment on internal matters that may compromise the privacy of our employees,” Trafford said. “The portrayal of unequal treatment between black and white staff is inaccurate. Peterhouse has long been committed to diversity and firmly opposes racism.”
He added that the claims being reported appeared to selectively distort reality and lacked objectivity.
