Edinburgh's education vice-convener admits council needs to tackle racism after dossier of allegations about city secondary school

Over 30 pupils have told of their experiences

St Augustine's RC High is at the centre of the allegations

EDUCATION vice-convener Alison Dickie has admitted the need for council action to tackle racism after the Evening News revealed that more than 30 pupils have come forward with allegations about an Edinburgh secondary school.

She acknowledged the problem in a social media post responding to yesterday’s News story on claims of institutional racism at St Augustine’s RC High School in Broomhouse Road.

Cllr Dickie said a “change of culture and systems” was required.

Former St Augustine’s pupil Miguel Chui, 19, compiled a dossier of independent testimonies from over 30 pupils outlining racial discrimination they claim to have experienced at the school.

The testimonies, which came from Asian, black and Polish pupils, referred to a “lack of support from senior leadership” as the main factor allowing racist behaviour to continue in the school.

Miguel, who is of Malaysian and Chinese identity, told the News: “Phrases such as ‘Go back to where you came from’, ‘Muslims are terrorists’ and ‘Chinese people eat dogs’ are commonly heard from pupils and, when reported, will often result in silence from senior staff. As a result of the school’s approach to handling racist incidents, pupils are not afraid to be racist towards other students of colour, knowing that they will be protected by the system.”

Councillor Dickie tweeted: “Miguel, can’t comment on specific cases as investigations underway. But, have not one doubt that we need city & council wide action to tackle racism. A change of culture & systems needed.”

And she went on to praise Intercultural Youth Scotland and other young people and say the education committee had already approved some measures

“Thanks to @InterculturalYS & other YP, improved reporting, workforce diversity, inclusive curriculum & training already agreed through Cttee. Need to deliver this and much more. Lived experience must take lead.”

Other testimonies included one from a pupil who wrote: “There have been countless times where I have been called names such as ‘monkey’ or ‘slave’ and when I would report it to senior management they would never do anything about the situation.”

And another wrote: “I would have been in the class of 2020 but I left early due to the toxic environment.”

Miguel, who is now studying law at Edinburgh University, has handed his dossier to the council and the Scottish Government.