Anti-racism policy and procedures
The Anti-Racism Policy commits the department to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination in NSW public schools. It applies to all employees, students attending NSW public schools, parents, carers, volunteers and contractors, and has implications for each school community.
Policy implementation
The Anti-racism education policy procedures provide direction and guidance on preventing and eliminating all forms of racism in NSW public education.
The policy requires that every school has an Anti-Racism Contact Officer who plays an important role in assisting the principal to implement major aspects of the policy:
- promote anti-racism education
- support staff to address reports of racism between students
- address reports and complaints of racism relating to staff and members of the school community
- collect data about reports and complaints, and monitor incidents of racism.
About anti-racism education
Anti-racism education in NSW public schools refers to a range of strategies which aim to counter racism in the learning and working environment. It includes programs which support staff to understand, prevent and address racism at school, systems for addressing incidents of racism and curriculum-linked strategies which aim to teach students about Australia’s cultural diversity, history and racial discrimination laws. It also includes strategies which promote equity, mutual respect, cultural inclusion and community harmony in the school environment.
Anti-racism education is strongly aligned with Aboriginal education, recognising that racism has a particular impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In addition to demonstrating respect for the cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds of all members of the school community, schools are required to display and model respect for Aboriginal people as the First Peoples of NSW and provide an environment of cultural safety for all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, staff, parents and community members.
Our shared responsibility
While principals lead the implementation of anti-racism education in schools, every member of the school community can assist in countering racism by demonstrating respect for cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds of others, and behaving in ways that promote acceptance and harmony in the school environment.
Anti-Racism Contact Officers support principals to implement anti-racism education strategies and manage reports of racism.
For more information, see: