New figures reveal underrepresentation of BAME teachers in Edinburgh

Only two per cent of school teachers in the capital belong to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, according to new figures.

The news comes as Edinburgh City Council has unveiled plans to increase the number of ethnic minority teachers in the city, as well as to reform school curriculums to make them more inclusive and diverse.

Of the 2,584 teachers in Edinburgh who have identified their ethnic background, only three are Black, while 36 are Asian and 16 are of mixed heritage.

This is despite the UK’s most recent census, taken in 2011, detailing that Black and Asian residents comprise 1.4 and 5.5 per cent of the capital’s population respectively.

In light of recent Black Lives Matter protests and allegations of racism in Edinburgh schools, including St Augustine’s High School, the council has faced renewed pressure to make the city’s primary and secondary school curriculums more inclusive.

While plans to diversify education have been in place since before the death of George Floyd, the council has unveiled further efforts to enhance inclusive education through its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which was formed in collaboration with members of underrepresented groups.

Under the plan, council officials will aim to increase the number of BAME school staff to the national target of four per cent by 2030.

To achieve this target, officials plan to raise senior education leaders’ awareness of bias and inequality in recruitment, as well as to enhance staff retention and promotion, and revise and strengthen guidance on legal requirements for race equality.

To reduce racism within schools, in June next year all school staff will be required to undertake online equalities training.

Meanwhile, efforts will be made to “decolonise” secondary curriculums by January next year and ensure primary curriculums are “inclusive” by March 2021.

A review of Black History across all year groups will be carried out in November this year.

At the same time head teachers and community learning and development managers will undergo professional learning on “educating for race equality.”

New lessons to heighten awareness of equality and diversity will be introduced at all school levels.

Lessons for upper primary pupils will include topics on gender inequality, racism, challenging gender stereotypes and homophobia in sports.

Meanwhile, secondary pupils will look at the issues of female genital mutilation, what gets in the way of equal rights and tackling sexual harassment in schools, among others.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Edinburgh is proud to be one of the most inclusive, diverse and welcoming cities in the world, yet we must always strive to do better.

“Our ambition is to consign racism and prejudice to history. There is absolutely no place for intolerance in Scotland’s Capital City in 2020 and the Black Lives Movement has provided us with a real opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with ourselves and with our communities.

“These plans set a way forward on tackling racism, supporting diversity and promoting equality in schools and across the Council as well as looking at issues across the entire city.

“In consultation with the wider BAME community, I want to see us also consider all options for how we more accurately tell Edinburgh’s history and our City’s role in slavery to make sure our streets and monuments are still appropriate and in proper context.”