Anti-racism in education: commitment and guidance

Ambition for children and young people

We are committed to delivering an education system that is fundamentally and institutionally anti-racist.  

This reflects the values in our National Performance Framework which are clear that people in Scotland should treat everyone with kindness, dignity and compassion, ensuring that children and young people grow up loved, safe and respected so that they realise their full potential.  

Similarly, our whole school approach seeks to make sure that children and young people’s families, as well as school staff operate in a positive environment which creates the conditions to enable them to flourish. 

Our strategic approach to anti-racism and our anti-racist employment strategy flow from Scotland’s wider suite of rights-based approaches: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Equality Act and associated Scottish specific public sector equality duties.

It should also be viewed in the context of education reform and national commitments to social justice in education, which include intersectional work on:

• closing the poverty related attainment gap
• relationships and behaviour in schools
• additional support for learning
• learning for sustainability
• tackling gender-based violence 
• LGBT Inclusive education 

All of which is underpinned by the ambitions set out in the 2024 Programme for Government particularly the commitment to: “continuing to develop and embed social justice, rights, and equalities across education, through implementation of the recommendations of the Anti-Racism in Education Programme.”

Our and the Scottish Youth Parliament’s vision is a Scotland where children’s human rights are embedded in all aspects of society. A Scotland where policy, law and decision making take account of children’s rights and where all children have a voice and are empowered to be human rights defenders.

We want to recognise, respect and promote children’s rights. These include rights to be treated fairly, to be heard and to be as healthy as possible. Parents and families, communities, local and national governments and organisations which work with children and families, all play a critical role in helping children understand and experience their rights.

The aim is to make it the norm for children and young people to be involved in decision-making across Scotland, so that they are at the heart of decisions that affect them at local and national levels in line with Article 12 (right to be heard) of the UNCRC. 

There are many sources of guidance on children and young people’s participation in decision-making available to help those who are engaging or thinking of engaging with children and young people. 

Our decision-making: children and young people's participation advice and guidance provides links to many useful resources, including The Right Way a project run by the Scottish Youth Parliament which ensures young people’s Article 12 right is respected