Glasgow City Council is stepping up its anti-racism activities in schools.

It comes as the latest statistics show that one in three bullying incidents that were recorded were racism related.

The figures for August 2020 to May 2021 show there were a total of 618 incidents recorded and 204 were classed as “racism related”.

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There were more incidents recorded in the city’s primary schools.

Schools reported 382 cases and 122 were marked as racism related. While in secondary schools there were 231 recorded and 79 were related to racism.

There were another five incidents in ASL schools with three of them linked to racism.

The work being done includes a presentation for staff which was developed with the Commission for Racial Equality and Rights.

The training has been delayed due to pressures on the education system from covid but is hoped to take place initially in three secondary schools before the end of term and then rolled out across the city after the summer holidays.

A black young persons’ group has also been set up to support the council developing work on the issue. Young people from the group met with the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, and the Minister for Equalities, Christina McKelvie to give ministers their thoughts.

A questionnaire has been devised by Glasgow Psychological Services for the council to be used in a sample of schools across the city.

The council said it will help them understand young people’s experiences in Glasgow schools and the data used to inform future practice and strategy.

Maureen McKenna, Executive Director of Education said, in a report to councillors: “Education Services has prioritised activities related to race equality in recent years and, despite the pandemic, particularly this session.”

She added: “The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movements campaign has added a sense of urgency to our work and the need to examine what we do to improve the culture and practices of our schools. Our aim is to support systemic change across our service and support Council wide initiatives that challenge racism.”

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said:“This is a very important piece of work that will have a positive impact on our school, staff, children and young people.

“Our focus over the past few years has been about changing cultures, hearts and minds and we will continue to make this a key commitment of our work in order to help make a difference and strengthen the equalities agenda across all areas of education services.”