The Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE) have launched a new National Anti-Racism Framework for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Scotland.

The Anti-Racism Framework was commissioned by SCDE and developed and written by Dr Khadija Mohammed, Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of the West of Scotland.

Launched at SCDE and Education Scotland’s annual ITE Symposium, the Framework has several objectives including embedding anti-racist practice in ITE, to assist ITE staff to better support Black and minority ethnic students and for ITE staff to reflect on the importance of anti-racist practice with all students.

Education Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) provided support to Dr Mohammed in the development of the Framework.

Launching the Framework at the ITE symposium, Professor Margery McMahon, Chair of SCDE, said: “Teacher Education providers have already taken steps toward the embedding of anti-racist practice, building on work already underway in their universities, including a commitment for representatives from all ITE providers to engage in the Building Racial Literacy programme. This Framework will allow institutions to deepen their intentions and actions further moving forwards.”

Dr Khadija Mohammed added: “Our teaching workforce isn’t as representative of the learners and families in our schools as it could be. The Scottish Government has a target that by 2030 the number of Black and minority ethnic teachers in Scotland’s schools should be at least four per cent."

“I hope this framework will help support the changes needed at ITE to attract, welcome and retain student teachers of colour by improving the quality of their experience in ITE.”

Ollie Bray, Strategic Director at Education Scotland, added: “I thank Dr Mohammed for her work on the development of this crucial Framework and for her commitment throughout her career to improving the experiences of student, new and experienced teachers.”