EYST Wales publishes first research paper on school exclusions experienced by minority ethnic pupils on the UN International Day of Education
Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team (EYST Wales) has today published the research report ‘Right to Education: reflecting upon school exclusions experienced by minority ethnic pupils in Wales’. The research report offers a fresh perspective, touching upon three individual permanent exclusion experiences to highlight key challenges when dealing with school exclusions. These compelling case studies illustrate the complexities of the exclusions appeal process and how it affects pupils and families. Moreover, the role of racism, particularly racist bullying, is explored in relation to school exclusions for minority ethnic pupils. This research report reviews and builds upon the existing landscape of school exclusions evidence in Wales, to provide an evidential foundation for minority ethnic young people’s experiences of school exclusion in Wales.
Despite Welsh Government advising schools to use exclusion as a last resort, school exclusions continue to rise in Wales. Year upon year, pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds are disproportionately represented in some types of school exclusion. Set against the backdrop of policy interventions in Wales such as the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and opportunities to promote Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic stories in the New Curriculum for Wales, positive and progressive steps to create a more equal Wales are currently not being reflected in day-to-day school experiences for minority ethnic pupils in Wales.
January 24th marks the United Nations International Day of Education. On this day we call on decision makers in Wales to consider the findings of the report, committing to act upon the recommendations shaped by those young people and families who have navigated school exclusions processes in Wales.
Access the report here: http://bit.ly/3StBCIp
