Schools and colleges in England are being criticized for not doing enough to address and prevent racism, according to campaigners. They are calling for the national curriculum to include a focus on anti-racism, with Black history being a mandatory subject. A group of organizations representing the voices of young people have written to the prime minister, expressing their concerns that racism is holding back all young individuals and urging for immediate action to tackle this issue.
The letter to the prime minister suggests that the review of the national curriculum presents an opportunity to incorporate diverse and anti-racist content to provide a more inclusive education for young people. It also points out that the current legal framework supporting schools in adopting anti-racist practices is insufficient. The organizations behind the letter recommend implementing a whole-school approach to addressing racism and requiring all schools to have an action plan to tackle race inequality.
The letter emphasizes that racism not only affects individuals who are targets of racist abuse but also has a negative impact on the entire school community, undermining the sense of belonging and unity within the school environment. The organizations that signed the letter include prominent names such as the Diana Award, Everyday Racism, the Centre for Mental Health, and the Black Curriculum. Well-known figures like singer Jade Thirlwall and author Nels Abbey have also expressed their support for these efforts.
Statistics mentioned in the letter reveal a concerning 23% increase in the number of pupils suspended for racist abuse in the past year. It also highlights the disparities in suspension rates among students of different ethnicities, with higher rates among Black Caribbean and mixed white and Black Caribbean students compared to white British students. Additionally, findings from the Black and British Survey show that a vast majority of respondents feel that the curriculum neglects Black lives and experiences, while very few believe that educational institutions take racism seriously.
Naomi Evans, a teacher and founder of Everyday Racism, stresses the importance of addressing racism in schools and equipping teachers with the necessary tools to handle such situations. She advocates for racism to be treated as a safeguarding issue to ensure the well-being of students. In response, a Department for Education spokesperson stated that racism and discrimination have no place in schools and society, reaffirming their commitment to supporting teachers in creating safe and inclusive learning environments.
Efforts to address racism in educational institutions are crucial to ensuring that all young individuals have equal opportunities to succeed. By implementing anti-racist practices and incorporating diverse perspectives into the curriculum, schools can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds. It is essential for educators and policymakers to work together to combat racism and create a more equitable educational system for the future generation.
