The government was questioned by two committees on the inclusion of black history and cultural diversity in the UK curriculum.

This Parliamentary session follows evidence sessions in November 2020 where the committee heard from petitioners, experts and academics on the need for change. Several petitions have been organised, calling on the government to teach Britain’s colonial past as part of the UK’s compulsory curriculum. The petition highlighted that students can go through their entire school experience without learning any aspects of black history. From colonisation or the transatlantic slave trade.

The Petitions Committee sought the perspectives and experiences of teachers, school staff and home educators through an online survey. The research indicated that 90% of respondents felt there should be a statutory requirement for all children to be educated about the history of Britain’s ethnic and cultural minorities. This included Britain’s role in colonisation and the transatlantic slave trade.

A further one in four teachers told the committee that they lacked confidence in their ability to develop their pupils’ understanding of black history and cultural diversity. Teachers consistently shared this concern, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.

Click here to look at the evidence session on Parliament TV.