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: