EIS Anti-racist Strategy
Internal practice
Duration
August 2020 – February 2021.
Reason it was developed
In spring 2018 the EIS conducted a survey of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) members on their experiences of racism and anti-Muslim prejudice. 71% of all respondents had experienced racism in their capacity as a teacher/lecturer. Reduced access to workplace opportunities was a strong theme; nearly half of all respondents had experience of being overlooked for promotion (43%). The majority of respondents did not believe that their establishment’s efforts to tackle racism were effective. 75% of respondents had not had opportunities to undertake meaningful CLPL on racism, and only 30% had had opportunities to undertake meaningful CLPL on equality legislation. Continuing the EIS’s commitment to anti-racist work and responding to the opportunities arising from increased awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, the EIS Equality Department developed a strategy for engaging the membership on anti-racist issues and organising the work of the Department in this regard.
Activities
The EIS Anti-racist strategy 2020-2021 included a range of commitments: Objective 1: Raise awareness on racism and knowledge of how to respond to it • Poster campaign during Black History Month to raise awareness of racism and promote action. • All member Anti-racist webinar series including 1) Black Lives Matter in Education, 2) Anti-racist Allyship, 3) Challenging the Rise of the Far Right Objective 2: Mobilise membership for anti-racism • Leadership Learning to Mobilise Anti-racist Activism (in the Union and Education) for Equality reps, School Reps, Local Association Secretaries, Headteachers and Depute Headteachers • Bespoke resource packs including guidance Objective 3: Integrate anti-racism in the curriculum • Continue and contribute to national campaigning efforts for anti-racist curriculum • Signpost resources to members on EIS Website area dedicated to Anti-racist issues. Objective 4: Increase Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic representation within education, and the Trade Union • Establishment of a National Network for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Members • Learning and network events for national BAME network.
Results
Despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on education, the anti-racist strategy has been successfully implemented, on track. So far, feedback from learning, all-member events and distribution of campaign posters have been excellent. The national EIS BAME Network has successfully been established and had its first meeting. Funding from Scottish Union Learning has been confirmed for delivery of learning activities. The poster campaign has been delivered successfully and distribution is underway. The EIS has contributed to national stakeholder discussions with the Scottish Government to inform their plans to embed race equality in schools and the curriculum.
Funding
The EIS has been awarded funding by Scottish Union Learning to deliver 12 sessions of Leadership Learning to Mobilise Anti-racist Activism (in the Union and Education).