Equality of Access for Pupils from Minority Ethnic Communities
workshops by Pratima Patel Presented in March 2000
Inclusion, Disability, Racism & SEN:
Implications of MacPherson Report for Education Policy & Practice in Scotland.
Presentation by Fernando Almeida Diniz, Department of Equity Studies & Special Education, University of Edinburgh
1. Social Inclusion &'Race' in Scottish Education
2. Race & Disability/SEN
3. Black-led Community Voluntary Sector Provision
KEY IMPLICATIONS OF MACPHERSON
1. RE-CONCEPTUALISATION
- INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
- CENTRALITY OF BLACK IDENTITY & PARTICIPATION
- INVISIBILITY OF 'RACE' in 'SOCIAL INCLUSION' DISCOURSE
2. SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATION:
- REPRESENTATION
- HOLISTIC & PARTICIPATIVE APPROACH
- INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES, ETHOS & CULTURES
- PROFESSIONAL 'TERRITORIES' & 'NORMS'
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS & OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION
1 : RE-CONCEPTUALISATION
- Invisibility of 'Race' in 'Social Inclusion' Discourse
2: INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES, ETHOS & CULTURE
-
Schooling & Curriculum Experience:
Paper policies on EO
Multiculturalism = 'bilingualism'
Racism unacknowledged or underplayed or bolted on
Professional Resistance
Educational Research is 'Colour-Blind' - Black Participation & Representation
Curriculum Policy formulation & action
Decision-making procedures concerning children
School Boards & PTAs, other 'fora'
Professionals at all levels & sectors
- Racial Equality Assurance
No National Indicators of Minimal Standards
National Ethnic monitoring non-existent
Scottish HMI/Ed Management 'all white perspective'
'SOCIAL INCLUSION'
An Inclusive Society for 'All Scots'
Competing Discourses:
- Identity - Who is and is not Scot! Other identities?
- Nationalism - Who is a 'real Scot'!
- Culture - Whose? Who defines? 'Bravehearts and Bangra'!
- Language - Which ones?
- Creed- Sectarianism? Islamophobia?
- Racism - Invisible
- Ethnicity - A label for Third World people?
- Impairment - Disability - SEN - Consensus?
WHOSE VOICE?
Assimilation? Mainstreaming? Inclusion?