Five Midland teachers are being hounded out of their jobs by racist kids every year, the Sunday Mercury can reveal. The National Union of Teachers says that its members are quitting in record numbers because of classroom thugs who have gone so far as to make death threats. One teacher contacted the Sunday Mercury to complain about the violence and racist abuse which forced her to walk away from a Midland school.
“I was constantly called racist names and told that no-one wanted to be taught by a black bitch like me,” she said. “I was told that if I gave a detention, I would be beaten up by the child’s dad. I even had death threats which have left me emotionally weak. I had to leave my job.” NUT spokesman Brian Carter said that the number of teachers quitting because of violence or racism in Midland schools was on the rise, with around four to five cases each year.
“It is a worrying factor but it seems to be a reflection of the attitudes in society in general,” he said. “It’s a pity that the teacher who contacted the Sunday Mercury felt she had to leave the school because we do have systems in place to protect against racism. “Allegations of racism are taken very seriously because they have a detrimental effect on the whole school.” In January a 10-day survey of schools nationwide revealed that teachers were attacked by pupils nearly 100 times a day. A total of 126 physical assaults, 838 cases of verbal abuse – including 62 sexual insults or threats – and nine cases of racist abuse were logged during the 10 days.
