BME teachers continue to experience discrimination

Racial discrimination in the education system is “blighting” the lives and careers of Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BME) teachers, according to the NASUWT union.

The ‘Visible Minorities, Invisible Teachers’ report published jointly by NASUWT with the Runnymede Trust, sets out the current challenges faced by teachers from BME backgrounds and sets out a series of actions which need to be taken by all involved in the education system to address racism.

The research highlights that BME teachers continue to experience discrimination and harassment as well as greater barriers to pay progression and career progression.

It finds that twice the proportion of BME teachers reported they had experienced discrimination in the workplace (31 per cent) compared to their white counterparts, a higher percentage of BME teachers (79 per cent compared to 64 per cent) believed that they were not paid at a level ‘commensurate with their skills and experiences’, and nearly two-thirds of BME teachers (64 per cent) had experienced ‘verbal abuse by pupils’ compared to just over half (51 per cent) of their white peers.

The report explores the reality in schools, highlighting the ‘endemic’ racial inequality in school leadership, the chronic under-representation of BME teachers in schools and the pervasive culture of racism facing BME teachers.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Schools and pupils are losing out on the talents and skills of BME teachers who are unable to advance their careers or who opt for a different profession due to the barriers being placed in their way. If we want the best education for our children and young people we cannot afford to continue to let this happen.

“This report calls for a national conversation about racism in the education system, with all players, including government, making a commitment to delivering real change to break down and root out racial discrimination.”