In response to 'What’s happening to Burngreave Children’

Dear Messenger,

‘What’s happening to Burngreave Children?’ in the September 2005 issue failed to include the issue of school exclusion, an unfortunately common experience of too many young people, particularly those of African Caribbean heritage.

Most black/mixed race families are all too aware of problems their children, mainly boys, are having in school, which seems to escalate as they grow in age, perceived by too many in the education system as ‘threatening’. School becomes a negative experience for these young people, often culminating in permanent exclusion. Traumatised youth are then stuck at home with stressed parents, encouraging family breakdown.

Alternative provision for education that these young people can face is scanty, and centres such as ‘Catch the Drift’ are often underfunded and underecognised. Few are integrated into the mainstream school successfully, and social exclusion in later life is strongly linked. Statistically boys of African-Caribbean heritage are up to fifteen times more likely to be excluded than white boys, girls up to four times more likely. I’ve not been able to obtain figures despite repeated requests to education authority.

This is a scandal covered up by society. Bright intelligent young people are being excluded not just from school but from society. Get real Messenger and start addressing the real issues.

Yours sincerely JT