School racist incidents 'on rise'

Children and adults from many backgrounds were victims of racism

The number of racist incidents reported by Kent school bosses have risen significantly over four years.

Cases involving pupils and teachers increased by more than 50%, from 596 incidents in 2003/2004 to 901 in 2006/2007, a BBC investigation showed.

Kent County Council said it could not confirm whether the number of racist incidents or the level of reporting had risen in its schools.

During 2006/2007, 59% of schools in the county reported no racist incidents.

Statistics made available following a Freedom of Information request by BBC Radio Kent showed Mascalls School, a comprehensive in Paddock Wood, had the highest number of incidents with 31 in 2006/7.

Minster College in Sheerness had 18 incidents, the second highest rate in the county.

Michelle Hunt, access to information co-ordinator at the council, wrote: "The local authority is unaware if the numbers reported indicate the establishment of a robust system whereby the whole school can report incidents in the knowledge that issues will be handled sensitively, or an increase in prevalence."

Children from Asian, black, Chinese, white and traveller backgrounds were targeted in incidents reported.

Teachers and other adults in the schools were also victims.