Concerns over ‘critical race theory’ in schools
CAMPAIGNERS fear an attempt is under way to give teachers anti-racism training based on the highly controversial “critical race theory”.
More than 4,000 people have now signed a petition calling for Brighton & Hove Council – which is led by the Green Party – to allow the training content to be scrutinised.
The strategy was questioned by both Labour and Conservative councillors last week.
The use of CRT in education is one of the most controversial subjects in US politics.
Campaign group Don’t Divide Us, which launched the petition, describes it as a “warped ideology” that “violates a commitment to impartiality” in education.
But Green councillor Hannah Clare – chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee – has previously said: “CRT is our lens for developing our understanding of the complexities of racism – and not an ideology.”
A draft version of the council’s “anti-racist schools strategy” states that it would not be taking a “colour-blind approach”, as educators would be trained on “structural/systemic racism” to “move away from a Eurocentric approach” towards teaching with the aim of “diversifying and decolonising the curriculum”.
In a council meeting last week, Labour councillor Jackie O’quinn said she was “deeply concerned” at the lack of access to training resources, and said: “It should be available to us and parents as well.”
Tom Hunt, a leading member of the “common sense” group of Conservative MPS, believes CRT has “no place in schools”.
He said: “CRT encourages people to see themselves either as victims of oppression or part of a privileged elite. It goes against the great British tradition of judging people by their character and pulling together for the common good.”
A spokesman for Don’t Divide Us said: “Crt-based training divides children [and we] don’t believe that ideology should ever be taught as uncontested fact.”
But Ms Clare defended the proposals, saying: “Our strategy was approved by councillors in November 2020. It has been co-developed with people affected by racism [and] addresses the urgent need to tackle issues that have historically led to inequalities for people of colour…we will do our bit to break down barriers and make our city fairer.”
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “Schools should not teach contested theories and opinions as fact.
“They are required to remain politically impartial and should be mindful of the need to not promote
partisan political views to pupils.”