Do Black boys need separate or specialist education?

[crouchingtigeress]

Just seen newsnight with Bill Morris, Chris Woodhead and Tony Sewell (education specialist).

Both BM and CW thought that class was more an issue than race.

TS disagreed and argued that they're are middle class African-caribbean boys failing.

Any thoughts?

fair point, but this isn't a new debate it's been going on for years.

Its the teachers and the schools that are failing these black boys. I grew up in Wales back in the 80's and as a young black girl in a predominantly white neighbourhood the racism was crippling. My junior school was really nice but the senior school didn't give a damn. The teachers were awful and I made my dad move me to a private school in the area otherwise I would have just stopped going to school.

I agree with sallystrawberry in that alot of these teachers can't see past the colour of your skin. Or if they aren't 'racist' stereotypes are still so predominant in our society.

My teachers never once tried to offer me the same support as my white counterparts and were well aware when I was experiencing extreme bullying by the people in the school, I was being called a slag and a whore because one of the white men who still had associates at the school raped me. I was so overwhelmed buy abuse I never told my family because of the shame. I think my dad knew that the school was awful and we ended up having to pay thousands of pounds for me to have an education.

I am going to have a mixed race little boy and would never ever send him to a state school until something is done about them and peoples' attitudes. I want him to have good opportunities and the chance to have one to one relationships with his teachers and peers.

I hate to say it but money talks. In the boarding school I went to there were really successul children from black families but they realised for that success their children needed the opportunity to be part of an environment that was devoted to their personal fullfillment and success. When the teachers and peers know the students better they can really move towards productive education.

I don't just think British schools are failing black boys. I think class sizes and poor funding mean British schools are failing everyone. Segregation never works. However home life is so important because if parents aren't willing to fight on the behalf of their child and show them the way through, schools these days don't have the time or resources to help you. I know I was lucky enough that my school provided a fantastic structure when my home life was miserable. School is really important but parenting can do so much to help.