Duty to promote race equality

The former Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) produced statutory guidance called the Code of Practice on the Duty to Promote Race Equality in Scotland (2002).

It identifies a number of benefits for education authorities and schools in working towards promoting race equality, including:

• meeting the needs of all your pupils, encouraging them to achieve their full potential and raise educational standards

• creating a positive atmosphere, where there is a shared commitment to value diversity and respect for difference

• challenging and preventing racism and promoting good race relations between people from different racial groups

• preparing pupils to be full citizens in today’s multi-ethnic society.

These benefits clearly fit with the four capacities of education within Curriculum for Excellence: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.