EQUALITY COMMISSION REPORTS ON RACIAL PREJUDICE

A PACKAGE aimed at tackling racial prejudice in schools was launched by the Education Minister Martin McGuinness at St Mary’s University Belfast on Thursday June 28.

The report, called the ‘Good Practice Guide on Racial Equality in Education’ produced by the Equality Commission, looked at range of racial issues in the province.

Speaking at the launch in St Mary’s University College, Belfast, Mr McGuinness said: “For too long we have faced the problem of sectarianism. However, local research, highlighted in this guide, shows that racist attitudes also exist, and that they are widespread across all age groups and sections of our society.

“Society faces a real challenge to change deep-seated ignorance, and I have no doubt that education has a big part to play in this. We must aim to create a culture of zero tolerance for any manifestation of racism within our schools and the Youth Service, and to play an active part in creating the same culture in wider society."

The Minister said the crux of the problem is promoting a culture of inclusion within schools where the education process operates as an effective partnership between schools’ staff, parents and pupils.

Mr McGuinness welcomed the Equality Commission’s guide, which he said provides practical and concise guidance on how to deal with issues, from racial bullying to making provision for children for whom English is not their first language.

This attitude from the NI executive was also reinforced by ministers from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister at an International Conference of the Ethnic Studies in the Magee Campus of the University of Ulster.

Mr Nesbitt emphasised the need to tackle all forms of discrimination and intolerance. He said: “Religious sectarianism is not the only form of division. Racism is all too prevalent in Northern Ireland, as are other forms of intolerance such as homophobia and discrimination against disabled people. We will tackle the outward manifestations of division, as well as the underlying sectarian and racist attitudes at its heart.” (AMcE)