Commenting on the news that Cauldeen Primary School in Inverness has cancelled its Christmas Show after it received racist and abusive messages online, Matt Wrack, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union said:
“NASUWT is alarmed by the new phenomenon of anti-immigration protests being brought to the front of school gates across Scotland, alongside unacceptable online racist abuse being directed at some primary school staff in Inverness.
“Such protests outside schools can only create a frightening environment for children, sharply contradicting the claims of those involved to be concerned with the safety of children.
“These protests and the associated online abuse seem rooted in misinformation about routine school activities and local community support. It is a deliberate attempt to create a climate of intimidation and fear for migrant and refugee communities, which also creates a corrosive working and learning environment for pupils and staff.
“No teacher, pupil or parent/carer should go to a school or its surrounding area expecting to be subject to or to witness racist harassment or abuse.
“We have already called on the Scottish Government to offer extra support to schools to try and address Far Right and extremist disinformation and the advent of anti-immigration protests outside school gates makes such support more urgent than ever.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official said:
“Concerted action is needed at a national level to address the lies of far-right populists and others, and at a local level to ensure that our schools and their surroundings are safe places for learners, staff and parents/carers. Teachers cannot be left alone to deal with these problems.
“In the meantime, anti-racism must continue to be central to the curriculum and schools must be supported and equipped to provide a curriculum that challenges all forms of bigotry, prejudice and hatred.
“NASUWT will not allow the spreading of misinformation and inciting violence to go unchecked and racism or bigotry of any kind must not be tolerated.”
