A CHARITY has warned that racism in Scottish schools is “widespread”.

The survey by Show Racism The Red Card revealed pleas from teachers for anti-racism to be part of curriculum reform.

Almost half (48%) of Scotland’s teachers reported seeing pupils express “negative attitudes” around skin colour, the study found.

In the past three years, 2251 racist incidents have been recorded in Scotland’s schools.

There are widespread fears of underreporting, with Show Racism The Red Card finding 71% of teachers did not feel confident “recognising incidents of racial discrimination”.

The group’s campaign manager Jordan Allison said: “Teachers have volunteered their very limited time to share their experiences with us and have a clear desire to foster anti-racist classrooms, however they are struggling with the lack of support available to them.

READ MORE: Scotland players to take stand against racism before Euro 2020 clashes

“We plan to release the study in full after reaching 1000 respondents, however, as it stands, more than half of 780 respondents have asked for a follow-up on workshops and resources. Our charity needs more support from Government and local authorities.”

Teachers pointed to confidence and a lack of time in the classroom as key concerns, and cited “learned misconceptions coming from adults at home and social media” as affecting kids.

A total of 85% backed tailored anti-racism workshops as beneficial, and 93% said anti-racism must be included within the curriculum.

The survey also reported on a number of incidents of abuse.

One pupil was said to have shouted “ISIS” to a group of girls wearing headscarves.

Teachers also told of pupils using the word “Jew” to be “provocative”.

Another incident involved a pupil writing “KKK” on a black pupil’s locker.

Listing more incidents, another teacher said: “Imitating South Asian, East Asian and African accents. Many pupils find it hard to understand why this is racist and I do not feel schools deal with this well at all. Inappropriate comments about people from China in relation to Covid.”

Show Racism The Red Card’s chair Tosca Fairchild has written to the Scottish Government to call for anti-racism’s inclusion within the national curriculum, following the announcement of a similar move in Wales earlier this year.

Ann Ashaye, whose daughters endured months of racist bullying in a Scottish secondary school, said: “My daughter experienced racism and prejudice based bullying in school and the community, and it caused her to attempt suicide twice as she felt so low.

“I reached out and Show Racism The Red Card responded with kindness and support, they also provided the opportunity for the school pupils to engage with their programme.

“Within a week the pupils who had previously harboured prejudice had contacted my daughter and myself to give their apologies.

“Our experience demonstrates the vital need for the work that Show Racism the Red Card does.”