Teachers and lecturers must take a lead in the battle against the rise of the far right, according to Scotland’s biggest teaching union.
The EIS is today holding an event in Glasgow where a central theme will be challenging anti-Muslim prejudice.
It marks the official launch of two new EIS anti-racist publications - a Briefing on Anti-Racist Education and Guidance on Challenging Anti-Muslim Prejudice.
Speaking before the event, Teachers turning the tide: Promoting anti-racist education and challenging anti-Muslim prejudice, EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Sadly, this work is becoming more urgent than ever, as a result of the growth of the far right across Europe and an increase in racist attitudes in many parts of society including in political debate and via mass media.”
He added: “An important task now is for all EIS members, working as teachers and lecturers across Scotland, to take forward the anti-racist campaign by challenging prejudice wherever and whenever it occurs, be it in the playground, the classroom or the staffroom.”
Keynote speaker Anas Sarwar, a Labour MSP in Glasgow and chair of the tackling Islamophobia cross-party group, will say at today’s event that education is the “vehicle to defeat prejudice and hate” and that a wider programme of teacher training is required so equality is seen as a mainstream issue “not as a tick-box exercise”.
Mr Sarwar also wants to see more headteachers and deputy heads from diverse backgrounds.
He will say: “It feels like we live in a time where division, anger and hate is now politically fashionable. We - a collective we - have to stand up, speak out and challenge that.”
Priya Khindria, campaign manager for the charity Show Racism the Red Card, said: “It is extremely important that anti-racist education is included in Scottish schools’ curriculum. As a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society Scotland’s young people need to be educated around these topics. It is not simply enough to discipline those who exhibit racist behaviours - we must be proactive in teaching young people to prevent racist incidents from occurring.”
She added: “Embedding anti-racist education across the curriculum will also help teachers be aware of how they should respond to these types of behaviours and feel confident in approaching what can sometimes be a daunting topic.”
