Teachers suffer over ethnic background

More than 80% of BME teachers said they had been discriminated against, harassed or intimidated at work because of their colour or ethnic background.

A poll taken at the NASUWT teachers’ union BME Teachers’ Consultation Conference last month found that in the last 12 months almost half (47%) said they had experienced discrimination in relation to their pay and career progression; and some 40% of teachers said they had been discriminated, harassed or intimidated because of their religion or belief.

The vast majority (94%) were concerned that the government’s Prevent Strategy to tackle extremism might be used to discriminate against or exclude BME staff or pupils; while 67% of staff agreed that racist extremist views and activities were a problem in schools and colleges.

Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, said: “The coalition government’s education reforms have been and are a backward step in race equality in schools, not only for black and minority ethnic children and young people but also for black and minority ethnic teachers.

“The issues raised will be a key priority for us with all political parties in the run up to the General Election.”

www.nasuwt.org.uk/Whatsnew/NASUWTNews/PressReleases/NASUWT_013315