REPRESENTATION MATTERS!

“Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter” -African Proverb

According to recent EWC research, school teachers in Wales are significantly less likely than the pupils they teach to come from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background. This is also the case (to a slightly lesser extent) for school learning support workers. Thinking about the unrepresentative nature of the school workforce in Wales, I am reminded of an African proverb which states that “until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter”. The changes to the school curriculum proposed earlier this year by Professor Charlotte Williams represent an exciting opportunity to broaden the range of perspectives taught within our schools, allowing the voices of ethnic minority communities to be heard, as never before. However, it is essential to ensure that a curriculum that embraces diversity is delivered by a workforce that is representative of our diverse society.

The introduction of the new Curriculum for Wales from 2022 provides opportunities for new and inclusive teaching styles, which will finally give learners the chance to explore the diverse experiences and contributions of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in Wales. This is an exciting time, and we at BE.Xcellence hope that this significant change will translate not only into new teaching material, but also an increase in the diversity of the people delivering it.

Education Workforce Council (2020). Phase 2 Report for the Welsh Government on Ethnic minority representation within the school workforce in Wales. Cardiff. Welsh Government.

Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum Working Group, 2021.