THE BLACK Educators Alliance (BEA) and the Coalition of Anti-Racist Educators (CARE) are campaigning against recent government curriculum guidance.

The guidance published online, discourages schools from working with certain groups.

It states schools should not, ‘under any circumstances’ use resources provided by groups that ‘promote victim narratives’.

In addition, the guidance discourages work with anti-capitalist groups.

Black Educators Alliance co-founder Camille London-Miyo said: “I was not surprised when the new guidance came out. We’ve been going through years of politicians involving themselves in teaching.

“As a Black educator, I was aware this new guidance would challenge a lot of the progress that has been made by the UK Black Lives Matter movement.”

Students, parents, MPs and human rights organisations have criticised the guidance.

However, the changes also suggest schools should not use material from racist, anti-semitic or anti-democratic organisations.

PSHCE’s role in social education

London-Miyo added: “PSHE has always been a vehicle to highlight social issues. For example, stop and search or death in custody.

“As Black educators, we have the responsibility to encourage young minds. We want to help them move forward with innovative ideas. We wouldn’t have Black heroes if they didn’t challenge the status quo.”

The Secretary of State for Education received a pre-action letter. It outlined the proposed application for judicial review. 

The Black Educators Campaign are crowdfunding for the cost of legal fees. They say they will take the case to High Court if necessary.

Recently, the government has suggested the guidance is not mandatory.

Rewrite the guidance

However, for London-Miyo, that just isn’t enough. She explained: “What we are saying as the Black Educators Alliance is that the guidance needs to be changed.

“It needs to be rewritten.” 

BEA and CARE have released a call out to all trade unions. They want campaign support.

London-Miyo added: “This is not the only step the government is going to be involved in, in terms of curving our civil liberties.

“It’s how we deal with them now, which predicts what’s going to happen in the coming future.”

You can donate to their crowdfunding campaign here.