SNP MSP Kaukab Stewart has called on local authorities to increase the representation of minority ethnic staff in Scottish schools.
In Holyrood yesterday, the MSP raised the disproportionate lack of minority ethnic teachers in Scotland’s schools, noted in the Diversity In The Teaching Profession Scotland annual data report.
The SNP MSP said that councils, as employers, should be actively exploring positive action measures to address the under-representation of black and minority ethnic staff at all levels – particularly senior.
Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville praised Glasgow City Council’s plans – supporting five acting principal teacher roles for minority ethnic teachers, which could be rolled out across Scotland.
Stewart said: “Better representation of minority ethnic teachers, at all levels, in our schools is a goal we should all be fighting for. It means we can provide our young people with a more diverse education experience – one more reflective of the society around them – as well as offering positive role models for minority ethnic students.
“The under representation of minority ethnic teachers in our schools should be a cause for concern for us all because minority ethnic people and our young people deserve better.
“For many years we have heard a lot of warm words, which I do not doubt the sincerity of, but it’s time for those words to turn into action.
“I am very glad the SNP Scottish Government is committed to supporting the recommendations of the Teaching in a Diverse Scotland report (2021), but we now need local authorities, as employers, to step up and play their part.”
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