Students and their families are living in fear of racial harassment and violence amid “provocative nationalism,” the boss of the headteachers’ union will caution.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), is set to voice concerns regarding the rhetoric of some politicians on immigration and the divisive role of social media platforms.
This warning follows an ASCL survey revealing that over a third (36%) of school and college leaders have reported students or teachers enduring racial harassment during their journeys to and from school.
The union’s intervention comes as the government recently unveiled a social cohesion strategy aimed at promoting integration, combating religious hatred and curbing extremist influences.
In his speech at ASCL’s annual conference, Mr Di’Iasio is expected to say: “I worry when I see some politicians speaking about immigration as a problem that needs to be solved, indulging in some sort of arms race about how tough they are going to be on those who come to our country seeking asylum.
“I worry when I see flags tied to lampposts, as we did last summer, something which seems more like a brand of provocative nationalism than of proud patriotism.
“And I worry about the role that social media platforms play in amplifying these divisions, allowing people with strong views to retreat into echo chambers where those views are endlessly reinforced.
“I recognise that others may have a different view. They may feel this is merely a case of citizens exercising their right to free speech and airing matters of legitimate concern.
“But I would encourage everyone to take care with the language they use. Words and actions have consequences in the real world.
“They create an environment in which we see many of our students, staff and families living in fear, and facing racial harassment or even violence.”
An ASCL survey of 567 school and college leaders found more than one in three (38%) said their students and staff were worried about them or their families being at risk from racial harassment or attack over the past year.
One in 10 (11%) said the harassment students or staff have experienced on the way to or from school has involved physical attacks.
Asked whether she agreed with concerns about divisions, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told reporters: “I believe we’re a tolerant, diverse nation, where we have shared values and where we celebrate our national identity.
“That should be inclusive, we should all be able to celebrate our national identity, the flags that represent the nations of our union, and that’s important.
“And schools of course have an important role to play in making sure that young people are well-equipped for the world to come and emerge from school as involved citizens.”
Headteachers responding to the survey cited tensions fuelled by social media, anti-immigration rhetoric and campaigns to display St George flags as causing them concern.
Two in five (40%) said racist incidents affecting students and teachers have increased over the past year compared with the previous one.
Social media platforms must take more responsibility for policing sites and removing toxic content, Mr Di’Iasio is expected to say.
“If they are not going to do that voluntarily, they should be made to do so through regulation,” he will add.
Most heads (90%) said stronger social media platform regulation could help address racist attitudes and behaviour, and more care taken in the language politicians use about immigration (83%).
The Government has launched a consultation on keeping children safe online, inviting views on whether there should be an Australia-style ban on children from using social media, and at what age this could begin.
However, MPs voted earlier in the week to reject an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill backed by peers to ban social media for under-16s.
