Revealed: racism in schools
Updated on 24 May 2007
The extent of racist incidents in the country's classrooms is exposed for first time as a result of a Channel 4 News online survey.
A Freedom of Information (FoI) probe of more than 90 education authorities in England exposes the true extent of racist tensions in schools, with nearly 100,000 incidents now documented.
Cities such as Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham have seen a distinct hike in reported racism in the classroom - prompting fears of a link with perceptions over terrorism.
Education authorities say increases are down to better reporting methods; and a more robust approach to the problem.
Heidi Mirza, an equalities professor at the Institute of Education, said: "These statistics are just the tip of the ice-berg. There are a lot of young people who don't want to report this because they are too embarrassed or frightened to do so.
"I think there's a definite problem with racism in schools, I think one of the biggest issues we have is actually the under-reporting of these incidents."
The number of racist incidents recorded in Leeds' schools jumped from 1,142 in 2002/3 to 1,430 in 2005/6. Over the same period Birmingham's schools saw an increase from 832 to 1,577. And Manchester's schools from 590 to 696. Other noticeable rises in racist reports were in Bolton, Coventry, Derby, Dudley, Kent and Lancashire.
'There's a definite problem with racism in schools, I think one of the biggest issues we have is actually the under-reporting of these incidents.'Heidi Mirza, Institute of Education
Based on like-for-like FoI responses of 69 councils, racist rows rose from 16,251 in 2003/4; to 18,625 in 2005/6. Our probe shows that 95,022 have been reported since records began. Although one authority (Greenwich) started recording racist incidents in 1998, the vast majority have only been doing it for the past three to four years.
Monica Galt, a senior figure at the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "My reaction is one of disappointment and concern: I'm surprised and we will take this on board.
"We'll have to look at giving guidance for schools on this - for head teachers and teachers - on how to analyse what is racism.
"We're not doing enough in our schools to prevent this happening and that's what we should be doing."
A racist incident in school is defined as any situation which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person. It can range from name-calling to severe physical abuse.
Rise in racist incidents 2002 to 2006
Leeds 1,142 to 1,430
Birmingham 832 to 1,577
Manchester 590 to 696
- Racism in schools: the data
Many councils say the increase in reported racist incidents is due to better recording methods - rather than a downward turn in race-relations. But Professor Lou Kushnick, director of the University of Manchester's Relations Resource Centre, believes there could be a link with recent terrorist events.
He said: "The general atmosphere and the way these issues are discussed is going to feed this problem of racism in schools. We are all influenced by many sources, but kids will pick up on what their parents are seeing and saying.
"I'm sure there is a link between the portrayal of terrorism and a recent increase in these sorts of incidents. The issue for schools is how to deal with this problem constructively."
'This isn't just a black and white issue'
Edited response from Commission for Racial Equality:
Worryingly, racist bullying seems to be an increasing and persistent problem in some of our schools.
This isn't just a black and white issue, it affects children from all backgrounds, races and religions.
There are many underlying reasons why children racially abuse each other. The recent spate of terrorist attacks, both here and abroad, may be a contributing factor to the increase in racist bullying, but certainly can't be the sole cause. Figures show that children from all backgrounds, races and religions, not just Muslim, are suffering at the hands of bullies.
Ignorance and fear breed contempt and worryingly, upbringing plays a huge role.
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "We support a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of racism and racist bullying in schools and fully back teachers in taking tough action when it occurs - that is why we have given them clear legal powers to tackle ill-discipline in schools.
"Indeed, the latest statistics on exclusions related to racist incidents clearly show that schools are using these powers.
"New guidance also includes detailed, practical advice on how schools should most appropriately take account of individual pupil needs including race, religion and cultural differences and all schools have a duty to promote community cohesion."
