Challenging racism: further education leading the way: the full report of the Commission for Black Staff in Further Education

The Commission for Black Staff in FE was established following recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report in 1999.

Key organisations in Further Education recognised the pressing need to tackle institutional racism and set up the Commission as an independent body. 

The report of the Commission for Black Staff in Further Education “Challenging racism: further education leading the way” responds to important and challenging developments in the sector, in particular the establishment of the Learning and Skills Council and the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Education should lay the foundations for a better world. Supporting the learning of others, whether through teaching, administration, support work or providing services to colleges, is critical to the success of this country.

Yet it is a well documented fact that Black students are still under-achieving and there is an under-representation of Black staff at all levels within the sector. Action is therefore vital to address institutional racism.

However this is not a simple issue with a simple solution. Nor is it helpful merely to point the finger of blame. The landscape has changed and we have to take account of this. The establishment of the Learning and Skills Council, the enactment of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, the national elections in 2001 and of course elections in other parts of Europe this year provide a greater imperative to address racism.

Above all lessons from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry have given added impetus to our work and the legislation that followed. Whilst the Commission has heard about the effects of racism, we have also heard of very good practice that needs to be shared in a systematic way.

We must be constructive and most importantly we must work in partnership with the sector. The recommendations and key findings in this report provide a way forward in trying to eliminate racism in Further Education.

This will not be cost-neutral and the sector will need to identify funds to do this work. However, we are confident that assertive action by everyone will ensure that our common goal of eliminating discrimination within our sector and promoting Race Equality is achieved

Mike Peters, Chair, Commission for Black Staff in FE