APPG calls on government to outline plan to tackle race inequality one-year since George Floyd’s death
INEQUALITY: The APPG wants the government to address leadership and inclusivity in schools (Picture: Getty Images)
A CROSS-PARTY group has called on the government to end to racism throughout UK schools and within the disproportionate exclusion of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Race Equality in Education, which is chaired by Labour MP Diane Abbott, has released a statement today on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death, calling for government ministers to tackle racial inequality in the education system.
There has been much criticism of the report recently published by the UK government’s Commission on Ethnic and Racial Disparities, chaired by Tony Sewell. Pundits have deplored its denial of institutional racism in Britain. A recent act of student resistance highlights how flawed the report is, and how racism affects schooling.
In March, hundreds of pupils at the Pimlico Academy, a secondary school in west London, demonstrated against changes to the curriculum, the flying of the union jack outside the school and, crucially, discriminatory uniform policies. The protests began months earlier, in September 2020, when the school introduced new rules, banning colourful hijabs and hairstyles that “block the view of others”.
Afro hair: How pupils are tackling discriminatory uniform policies theuknews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theuknews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sign up for the 2021 Big Hair Assembly
FRO BACK: The Big Hair Assembly needs you
The Big Hair Assembly global sign up launched this week and organisers are busy prepapring for the main event set to take place on September 15, 2021.
Hair plays such a big part in our identity, from its vibrant colours to unique textures and everything in between
YolanDa Brown
This years event will mark the fifth anniversary of World Afro Day.
The assembly will be hosted in the UK by the broadcaster and award-winning saxophonist, YolanDa Brown and in the USA by News 8 Daybreak Anchor, Tashara Parker; whose personal hair story went viral.
The Big Hair Assembly logo Credit: World Afro Day
Organisers of World Afro Day 2021 are encouraging pupils across the UK to take part in an interactive worldwide educational event that promotes natural hair. The Big Hair Assembly launches today as part of the fifth anniversary of World Afro Day - where Afro hair, identity and equality are celebrated.
Pupils and teachers from all backgrounds across the UK are being encouraged to sign up for the gathering, that will be held in September in London. It will be live-streamed to schools and students across the world.
A previous Big Hair Assembly event, celebrated by students from all backgrounds Credit: World Afro Day