No place in Wales’ schools for racism
REPEATED reports of racist incidents in schools across Wales from various different sources must be acted upon.
The latest report from Race Alliance Wales details abuse that would not be tolerated in any decent workplace or public space.
It follows similar evidence from a Welsh Government commissioned report, Show Racism the Red Card Cymru and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
Alarmingly, Race Alliance Wales spoke to young people who gave examples of racist insults and comments from staff, as well as times when staff had ignored racist abuse or not known how to tackle it.
All too often, these reports also show that schools either don’t have the training or impetus to address racism.
Knowledge of all the diverse communities in Wales and how best to tackle any racism in schools directly and effectively should be part of all teacher training as well as ongoing development.
No child should go to school and be abused for the colour of their skin, culture or background.
There is also a regrettable lack of diversity among staff and in the curriculum and books taught.
Decades after Wales got its first black headteacher, Betty Campbell, there are now none.
Race Alliance Wales makes many recommendations, including a call for a formal inquiry into racism in schools in Wales.
This should be high on the agenda of whoever is appointed as our next Education Minister after next week’s elections.
The previous administration did start work on this, but there is much to be done.
A working group commissioned by the Welsh Government warned last year that “racial inequality is a feature of education in Wales”.
The report – Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum – said racial inequality in Wales’ schools stops children from minority ethnic backgrounds achieving.
Professor Charlotte Williams, a renowned writer and academic, who chaired the group, herself experienced racism at school in Wales.
Wales is a diverse country with a history formed and informed by many races and cultures. This must be reflected in all our schools.
All children must feel they belong equally in the classroom and schoolyard.
If not, we have all failed.