School is a place of learning and preparing children for the future, however as well as dipping into social issues such as racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, etc when relevant to the subject (e.g. learning a little about women’s rights in a World War One history lesson), it would be beneficial in many ways if primary and secondary schools set aside a compulsory class to learn about discrimination and social issues in more detail, how they effect people, the history behind them, and how we can make change. Some may argue that primary school children are too young to learn about such things. However, even from a young age many children experience prejudice and discrimination, whether at school (with problems from institutional racism, to lack of representation) or elsewhere. In fact, almost ‘88,000 racist incidents were recorded in Britain's schools between 2007 and 2011’ alone [1], while according to research, over half of teenage girls in school have ‘reported experiencing some form of overt academic sexism, particularly in the form of discouraging comments about their abilities in maths or science’ [2]. Teaching children about social issues may help to combat them, as not only the children but the teachers would develop their understanding of them, and the choices they can make every day to prevent inequality. Having classes dedicated to teaching children on such subjects would be beneficial in primary schools also because of the importance of upbringing. Upbringing plays a key factor in shaping a child’s values and worldly view, for example, a child with a racist parents may carry these ideas on whether they mean to or not. Yet, educating children on the damaging effects of discrimination would help to counteract these harmful, intolerant ideas a child may pick up from adults and media, hence raising a more open-minded generations and thus helping to eliminate everyday discrimination and prejudice. If such a class was introduced, it would be just as important in secondary schools as well as primary, as students may understand such subjects more through years and experience (e.g. becoming aware of prejudices they may encounter, privileges they may or may not have, realising their sexual orientation, etc). Education on social issues here would be just as important, as teenagers would also be more mature and hence able to learn about more complicated aspects and history that may be unsuitable for primary school children. Having a class dedicated to educating children on issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc. would greatly benefit students as they learn more about the current state of societies across the world, and would also help to eradicate discrimination in society as young generations would grow up aware of how divisive and destructive discrimination can be, something we have previously gained purely through experience and exposure. [1] Divya Talwar in BBC News, May 23rd, 2012 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18155255) [2] Adam A. Rogers in Psychology Today, April 16th, 2020 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thriving-teens/202004/sexism-and-school)

I agree that classes for children on racism and sexism would be beneficial. However, I also believe that the current educational system needs to be de-colonised. For example, if you look at History as a subject. The topics you learn tend to be the topics that make the U.K. (as an example) look positive and heroic. However, there is no inclusion of colonialism (European invasion and colonisation of other lands), the mass genocides of indigenous people, stealing indigenous land, deletion of indigenous culture and cultural understandings, slavery etc. at the hands of the U.K.. With the inclusion of this in classes that currently exist, rather than separate classes the whole of the education system will be striving for a de-colonised education. Rather than children going to a few classes on racism and sexism and then returning to a whitewashed, predominantly male syllabus, the whole education system will be actively challenging and teaching about these issues. My same view applies to teaching about sexism/homophobia etc. If there was an active inclusion of the HIV epidemic, famous LGBTQ+ figures such as Martha P. Johnson or lessons on Stonewall as part of History or English or the inclusion of more women mathematicians, or mathematicians of colour in Maths then the whole education system will be teaching about racism and other issues whilst actively combatting it. I really enjoyed reading your piece, so thank you!

Lol no. Racism and sexism is incredibly subjective and no class is going to teach kids anything about it that their parents won't teach or unteach. "Racism and sexism class" is the lunch period and the locker room in most high schools. The teacher is the school of hard knocks.

I appreciate the sentiment, but there's a MILLION hypothetical classes that we could argue should be mandatory. This doesn't really fit in well with the other subjects.

There is no benefit to be had from this and many penalties Why? Who would teach these classes? Such a socially charged issue is not the kind of thing that should be taught in schools, as you'd likely get a teacher who feels extremely strongly on either side of the issue, thus polarizing kids. Also, how exactly does it help kids to learn about incredibly vague concepts like this? What would the curriculum be? Why would anyone want a kid learning these things instead of just general government and politics for instance? It's just going pure indoctrination by a teacher and school with strong opinions on the matter

I've been a victim of racism a few times, and more so recently since anti-racism became so fashionable. I think this sort of thing actually encourages a few trouble makers to be racist. It's the same as the sign that says "don't walk on the grass". Most people comply but a few morons always just see it as a challenge and so overall I think the sign makes the problem worse. Same with all this anti-racism rhetoric.

I've been a victim of racism a few times, and more so recently since anti-racism became so fashionable. I think this sort of thing actually encourages a few trouble makers to be racist. It's the same as the sign that says "don't walk on the grass". Most people comply but a few morons always just see it as a challenge and so overall I think the sign makes the problem worse. Same with all this anti-racism rhetoric.