More than 200 racist incidents at schools

MORE than 200 racist incidents were reported in Peterborough schools last year, according to figures revealed by a Freedom of Information request.

The figures from 2010/11 uncovered by request also showed that the majority of abuses were made in primary schools with 135 incidents recorded in primary schools and 88 in secondary schools.

Under the previous Government, schools had to record racist incidents but the Coalition scrapped the ruling, a decision which has been condemned by Peterborough Race Equality Council.

But Mahebub Ladha, director of the council, said he was pleased to see that Peterborough schools were continuing to record incidents.

He said: “It is very encouraging to see Peterborough schools are continuing to record these figures and I’m keeping my fingers crossed this continues.

“If we don’t record what the picture is how can we know what needs to be done? What’s happening in

figures: Mahebub Ladha. schools is a reflection of society. It is important to educate children to say what behaviour is acceptable and what isn’t.

“But we need to remember that this is probably something they picked up from home. We should be asking the parents where did they get this idea from?”

Compared to the previous year the figures show a fall of about 30 racist incidents in primary schools although the figure went up by two in secondary schools.

Nationally, 87,915 cases were reported to local authorities by