Manifesto Group report unacceptable and irresponsible' says NASUWT

29 October 2009

Commenting on the reports of the Manifesto Group's survey of racist incidents in schools, Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, said:

"The conclusions of this report that dealing with and recording racist incidents wastes teachers' time are unacceptable.

"This trivialises and downgrades the importance of challenging racist abuse.

"Teachers and all school staff take their responsibility to challenge inappropriate behaviour, whatever its nature, very seriously. It is part and parcel of educating children and young people and essential to creating a safe learning environment.

"To seek to dismiss racist taunts as ‘playground spats' shows a breathtaking degree of ignorance and irresponsibility.

"Prejudice-related bullying makes the lives of too many young people a compete misery. It leads to serious problems such school refusal, ill-health and low self esteem. It is not, and should never be considered as, part of growing up.

"The authors of the report should be expressing deep concern about the number of racist incidents recorded, not seeking to divert attention from them."

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