Teachers learn to unteach racism
Teachers will soon have an ethical responsibility to play their part in stamping out racism in the classroom.
The Unteach Racism programme, created by the Teaching Council and the Human Rights Commission, helps teachers address racism in early childhood, primary and secondary classrooms. The initiative will be launched within months.
Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon said he believed Unteach Racism was the best way to stamp out racism as students were a captive audience.
Teaching Council chief executive Lesley Hoskin said the programme would equip teachers with the ‘‘tools to identify, confront and then dismantle racism in education’’.
‘‘It recognises that racism is something that is learned and therefore can be unlearned.
‘‘It also acknowledges the unique position teachers have in being able to address this challenge and inspire others, including their colleagues and learners, to do the same.’’
It was a teaching tool, rather than part of the curriculum.
While it would not be mandatory or compliance-based, teachers already had ethical expectations within the Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession to gain their registration and certification.
This includes an expectation that teachers respect the diversity of the heritage, language, identity and culture of all learners.
They also had specific requirements to continue to develop and practise te reo me nga¯ tikanga Ma¯ori (understanding Ma¯ ori language and concepts) throughout their careers.
‘‘The Unteach Racism programme is a call for teachers to lead a societal change, it is not a criticism nor is it pointing the finger,’’ Hoskin said.
But Foon hoped the programme would require teachers to show proof of their efforts to unteach racism in order to meet the requirements of their registration. ‘‘Like with driving, if you don’t behave yourself, you are not going to get your licence.’’
Teachers were influential in the wellbeing of students and giving moral guidance, and could create real social change if Unteach Racism became mandatory, he said.
‘‘We are appreciative of all [the Teaching Council is] doing to eliminate racism in schools.
‘‘We are right behind them to support them,’’ Foon said.
Hoskin said there would be resources, including an app for self-learning and a dedicated website, to support teachers in building this new knowledge.
The first part of the programme – supported by the Ministry of Education – would be launched within coming months.
Hoskin said it had received positive feedback from teachers and leaders who had been involved in its creation.
‘‘This is a pretty new subject for us all here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we know if we support teachers as the leaders of society they are, then we will all be in better shape.’’
The Teaching Council recognised racism was a societal issue, and not solely a teaching or education issue, but it also understood the influence teachers had on students, she said.
The Teaching Council now has a page on its website dedicated to its efforts to unteach racism.
It was developing an education response under the same banner as the Give Nothing to Racism campaign.
The project had ‘‘significant relevance in affirming Ma¯ori learners as tangata whenua’’ and reflected a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and addressing injustices caused by colonisation.