Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted in Part
Ensure schools implement clear policies and teacher training to tackle anti-Muslim hate.
Recommendation
The Government should ensure that schools have clear policies in place for tackling anti-Muslim hate. This needs to include specific training for teachers on the ways in which gendered Islamophobia manifests in society to ensure that teachers are equipped to provide an inclusive environment for Muslim students and are able to recognise and address anti-Muslim discrimination and abuse. (Recommendation, Paragraph 114) Community programmes
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges schools' duties under the Equality Act and safeguarding policies, and will convene a roundtable to address anti-Muslim hostility in schools; they will also procure and publish further resources on Educate Against Hate, but do not commit to requiring specific training for teachers.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
80. Muslim students and staff should be able to receive an education without the threat of harassment or racial abuse, and we welcome the Committee’s recommendation here. There is no place for hate or prejudice in our education system. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must not discriminate against, harass or victimise a pupil because of a characteristic protected by the Act. 81. The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public bodies, including maintained schools and Academies, to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited by the Act; advance equality of opportunity for people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and foster good relations across all characteristics. The Department for Education has published guidance for schools on how to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010. 82. Schools also have legal duties to safeguard pupils and determine measures to prevent all forms of bullying, which would include hate incidents motivated by hostility toward a person’s religion or race. 83. Safeguarding and behaviour policies are already implemented in schools to address anti-Muslim hostility as well as other forms of prejudice. Nevertheless, we aim to establish consistent best practices across England and consider additional measures where necessary. To initiate this process, DFE and MHCLG will convene a Tackling Anti-Muslim Hostility Roundtable, inviting input from educational and community representatives on this significant issue. This serves as a first step to help the Government in addressing anti-Muslim hostility in schools, coming alongside advice we have published on promoting Fundamental British Values on gov.uk and resources made available for schools to challenge anti-Muslim hostility on Educate Against Hate. 84. The Government will procure and publish further anti-Muslim hostility resources on Educate Against Hate in the next financial year to help, both staff and students alike, recognise anti-Muslim discrimination and abuse.