TEACHERS warned of a “widespread failure” to tackle racism in schools yesterday as new statistics uncovered thousands of incidents in Scottish schools over the last five years.

A freedom of information request to Scottish councils revealed that around 3,000 incidents of racism have occurred in primary and secondary schools since 2011.

Teaching union Nasuwt general secretary Chris Keates said the figures were “shocking, but unfortunately not surprising.”

“Teachers tell us that, in too many schools, discrimination and prejudice, including racism, is not being tackled effectively,” she added.

According to recent polling by Nasuwt, “nearly a third of teachers said they have experienced bullying and over a fifth verbal abuse during their teaching career on the basis of a protected characteristic, such as their race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.”

She said that 60 per cent of those reporting discrimination in their school or local authority said that no action was taken and warned: “Teachers have reported racist comments being dismissed as banter by managers and being told the abuse they are facing is just part of their job.”

Nearly a third of respondents said that reports of racism not taken seriously by senior management “is the biggest issue facing black and minority ethnic teachers in schools.”

“There is a widespread failure to take seriously discrimination and prejudice-related bullying and abuse.”

Ms Keates argued: “A whole-school approach to tackling inequality and discrimination for pupils and school staff is critical to ensuring that all children and young people can achieve their best and can benefit from a school workforce which is supported and respected.”