Call for school management to take action against growing threat of racism

SCHOOL management bodies have been urged to draft a detailed policy document specifically addressing the growing threat of racism in Ireland’s schools.

On the same day as the funeral of tragic Nigerian teenager Toyosi Shitta-bey, who was stabbed to death in Tyrrelstown last Friday, the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said action is urgently needed to address a potential crisis within the country’s schools.

Noting the findings of a 2009 TUI behavioural and attitudes survey on racism in schools, the union’s deputy general secretary, Annette Dolan, said it was clear measures to tackle the issue were failing ethnic minority students.