England is being urged to take inspiration from Scotland and implement an LGBTI action plan to promote inclusive education in schools. The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has recommended that England prioritize the development of a new action plan similar to those in Wales and Scotland.
The report commended Scotland’s ‘Building Racial Literacy’ program and highlighted the positive impact of LGBT-inclusive education in the country. Experts from the ECRI praised Scotland’s efforts and emphasized the importance of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
In light of increasing exposure to prejudicial content on social media, the need for inclusive education has become more critical. Recent research has shown that a significant percentage of primary and secondary school students in the UK have reported hearing homophobic language, with platforms like TikTok playing a role in promoting such behavior.
Efforts are underway to provide resources for Scottish schools to address online disinformation, prejudice, and hate. The ECRI also called on authorities to ensure a smooth transition for refugees transferring from the asylum support system to mainstream support systems.
While progress has been made in creating more diverse police forces and developing anti-discrimination policies, the ECRI also highlighted areas of concern. These include a rise in hate speech against Jews and Muslims, as well as an increase in violent attacks against businesses and places of worship belonging to religious minorities.
The ECRI emphasized the need for UK authorities to review laws and policies related to countering terrorism and violent crime to prevent discrimination against marginalized groups. Enhancing police accountability in cases of racist misconduct and racial profiling was also highlighted as a priority.
Overall, the report underscores the importance of promoting inclusive education and creating a society where all individuals feel safe and valued. By learning from successful initiatives in Scotland and Wales, England can take significant strides towards building a more inclusive and tolerant society for future generations.