THE North West Migrants Forum’s bid to make Black history an embedded part of the school curriculum took a step forward when it was tabled at the National Education Union’s annual Northern Ireland conference.
Held in Derry’s Bishop’s Gate Hotel, the assembly brought educators and union representatives together to reflect, challenge and take action on one of the most important issues facing schools – Building inclusive, anti-racist environments for all.
Among the panellists was Vice-Chair of the North West Migrants Forum, Dr Imani Strong, who outlined the importance of making Black History part of everyday learning. Dr Naomi Green also provided a workshop to teachers on NWMF’s Black Heritage NI: Hidden History Project and exhibition. The conference was also an opportunity for teachers to see for the first time a mini-version of the exhibition which has been touring Northern Ireland’s libraries since July and which has been viewed thousands of times.
The new Hidden History panels which were unveiled for the first time, a mini-version of the larger exhibition which is currently on display in Dungiven Library.
Charlotte Carson is the National Education Union’s Vice President and International Solidarity Officer, leading on anti-racist education.
Ms Carson said facing up to racism was a big focus for the union. She said that while educators in England have already developed resources to help teachers navigate the rapid demographic changes they are experiencing, no such materials are available in Northern Ireland.
“If we are going to make an effort to teach the past well, doesn’t it make sense that we do that with Black history? So rather than adopting an English-eye view, we need a Northern Ireland-eye view as well,” said the NEU Vice President.
“That is why when we got put in contact with North West Migrants Forum, it just matched up perfectly. We felt we would like to work with the organisation and support and facilitate the dissemination of its resources through our members and through the schools where we have a presence.”
Charlotte Carson added that while racism continues to be a challenge for teachers, they are in a good place to meet it head on.
“It’s part of our job. It’s a responsibility of teachers in the classrooms to promote equality, democracy and critical thinking and an appreciation for difference but also a culture of belonging.”
There were a number of impassioned contributions from the panel which included NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede, Dessie Donnelly of Rabble Collective, Oakgrove Integrated Secondary School Principal John Larkin and Campbell College teacher Fransuer Mukula.
Dr Imani Strong used her address to encourage schools to engage with the North West Migrants Forum’s Black Heritage Project and Intercultural Cross-border Inclusion Programme. She also emphasied that the North West Migrants Forum was on hand to support teachers in any way necessary.
“If we are serious about safer and more inclusive schools, then we have to be serious about anti-racism, about belonging and about what children see reflected in the curriculum,” Dr Strong said.
“We invite schools across Northern Ireland to join our ICIP programme and to work with us through the Black Heritage Hidden History Programme. Help us design this curriculum, test it, strengthen it and embed it, so that together we build schools that do not simply react to racism, but actively shape a fairer future.”
The NWMF Vice Chair added that it was imperative that the process of embedding Black history in the curriculum is done with schools rather than without them.
“We want educators to engage with it, help shape it and make it a living tool for change. We are asking schools to join our ICIP programme and to endorse and adopt our Black Heritage Hidden History Programme and the inclusive curriculum journey that comes with it.
“This is an opportunity to help create resources that can transform schools, challenge harmful perceptions, widen understanding and support children to grow into young people and adults who value diversity, respect difference and want to be part of a more socially just society.”
Dr Naomi Green alongside DCSDC Mayor Ruairi McHugh and NEU President Tanya Wakely and NEU Executive Edel McInerney.
