Racism in Secondary Schools: The effect on students’ education By Temi Adeniji The definition of racism according
indeed a problem within our
to the Oxford Dictionary is the
schools.’ (Schulz, 2021). She then
‘discrimination, or antagonism by
goes on to write, ‘school policies
an individual, community, or
and beliefs about norms and
institution against people on the
values stereotypically only reflect
basis of their racial or ethnic
the dominant culture- that of white
group, which is a minority.’ UK
British people.’ From this quote,
secondary schools have recorded
we can infer Schulz believes the
more than sixty thousand racist
education system is failing those of
incidents in the last five years.
an ethnic minority. These
Many studies have been conducted
experiences can then be related to
to determine the success rate in
a lower self-esteem and depressive
the students affected for their
symptoms. Having a high self-
important exams, such as GCSE
esteem is necessary for students to
and A levels. In addition, studies
be able to take risks in their
also consider the student’s chance
learning. With low self-esteem,
of excelling in several types of
students are hesitant to engage in
universities. This essay will go
learning or take appropriate
through different opinions such as
academic risks. A research project
whether racism builds the child’s
in 2020 by Nerys Roberts and Paul
learning ability or if it does the
Bolton (Roberts & Bolton, 2020)
complete opposite.
contains data to back up this evaluation. The data shows that
Racism is usually associated with
black pupils have the lowest pass
abusive and offensive language
rate for GCSE Maths and English
used in a derogatory way against a
combined. Based on the research,
person from a different race or
the authors argue that reforms
ethnic background. An article
must be made to the national
published by the guardian written
curriculum an associated exam
by Freia Schulz states ‘racism is 3
