Six racist incidents daily in Manchester schools
Racism is still at large in Manchester schools. New figures show there are six racist incidents in Greater Manchester classrooms everyday. These include racist jokes, name-calling and intimidation.
The figures were obtained under Freedom of Information rules by the Manchester Evening News.
Additionally, more than 2000 cases of abusive language, racist graffiti and violence were reported in Manchester’s schools last year. No action was taken in nearly a third of those cases.
Under race and equality laws, schools must report all racist incidents and follow up action they have taken.
A spokesman for Manchester City Council told The Muslim News that there has been a “significant reduction” in racist incidents between 2009 and 2010 in Manchester schools. The figure for 2010 was 435, compared to 598 incidents in 2009.
Executive Member for Children’s Services at Manchester City Council, Councillor Afzal Khan, told The Muslim News, “We have a long and proud tradition of tolerance and acceptance in this great city. Respect is a true Manchester value, which lies at the heart of our society and which we seek to introduce children to from an early age.”
A spokesperson from the Equality Human Rights Commission told The Muslim News that racism and racist bullying in particular, is a “corrosive element running through the lives of many young people. Parents should expect that their children will be safe in school, but that is not the experience of many school children.”
