400 reports of racial incidents in Kirklees schools

Kirklees Council has revealed that there have been 400 reports of racial incidents in the town's schools over the last three years.

A community organisation leader in Huddersfield has called for greater vigilance against racism in days of economic austerity.

Milton Brown, chief executive officer of the Parents of Black Children Association also called for greater training and professional development for teachers during the downturn.

Mr Brown was speaking after Kirklees Council revealed that there have been more than 400 reported racial incidents (physical or verbal) against pupils and teaching staff in Kirklees schools over the past three years.

Figures obtained by the Examiner through a Freedom of Information request showed there were 271 incidents in primary schools (79 in 2008, 154 in 2009 and 38 in 2010) and 161 in secondary schools (53 in 2008, 85 in 2009 and 23 in 2010). The number of reported incidents has fallen in the past 12 months.

Kirklees schools have been required to record and report racist incidents to the local authority and governors since 2000.

Reporting aims to help governors identify specific types of incident and contribute to the school's self-assessment and planning processes.

Courtesy The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Image: Kirklees Mela