Commenting on new digital literacy and safeguarding measures
proposed by the Labour Party to give teachers the tools to end
the scourge of sexual harassment and misogyny in schools,
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
“Schools will welcome more support about how to respond to the
online sexism and sexual harassment which young people encounter.
This can feel like an overwhelming challenge for schools and one
where things are constantly changing. Labour have recognised that
the curriculum and what skills are valued and taught must fit the
modern day. A greater focus on digital literacy across the
curriculum is much needed and these are the areas that warrant
more prominence in a future curriculum review.
“Schools, colleges, parents and the social media giants need to
work together and play a role in preventing online sexism and
responding to its costs for young people. Sexism in schools is
symptomatic of gender inequality across our society. Using
education to prevent sexist ideas and attitudes is vital - but
only with a whole school approach and an approach that’s
supportive of schools.
“Safeguarding is a key and under-regarded function for schools
and colleges, but they need local systems to work well. Local
authorities must have the capacity to support all their local
schools around harassment trends and responsive strategies and
build good practice. This is not a role for Ofsted.
“The NEU has a It’s Not Okay toolkit which
recommends for a whole-school approach, and which has been
endorsed by the End Violence Against Women coalition. This
includes a tool for working with young boys and men to prevent
sexism and sexual harassment, which provides safer and braver
spaces for boys to explore issues around mental health,
relationships and boys’ roles.”
Editor’s Note:
It’s Not Okay: https://neu.org.uk/advice/equality/sex-and-gender-equality/preventing-sexism-sexual-harassment
Working with boys and young men to prevent sexism and sexual
harassment: https://neu.org.uk/latest/library/working-boys-and-young-men-prevent-sexism-and-sexual-harassment
