When one considers society at large, diversity is and the acceptance of diversity is something that has eluded mankind for centuries. Just looking at the recent BLM movement is a testament to the fact that there is still some work to do. The first real area where people come face to face with diversity is in school.
This is also the area where the most work needs to be done. When kids learn about diversity from a young age, they will experience it as the norm when they are older. Here are some strategies to implement positive change in schools.
Being visible and open
The one thing that people are excellent at is ignoring things that are different. We find things that we do not know or understand uncomfortable and in some cases, it even scares us. The only reason why we find something different so intimidating is because we do not understand it.
The very first step in promoting diversity is to acknowledge that there are people who are different and not dance around the subject. Diversity is something that should be celebrated and embraced and if it is to be promoted in schools, everyone needs to be transparent.
Teachers can incorporate the help of their BAME colleagues to shed light on issues and teachers can formally address diversity in the classroom by having a student write an essay on diversity.
It is never too late to start education on diversity. Whether you are in kindergarten or whether you are a college student, it remains relevant and needs to be addressed. Cultural diversity should never be treated as the elephant in the room. Therefore, systems of transparency and equality need to be implemented.
With a sensitive discussion area as this one, you can also present very effective writing work around it. As a college student, you need the best topics to work on, even if they are complex. There’s Eduzaurus from where you can get help with its free essays on issues of diversity for college students. It makes writing easier for you and the challenges you take up to enhance your education goals start looking easier.
Adjust and decolonize the curriculum
From a very young age, students are exposed to the injustices of the past. In general, these injustices fuel the superiority of one ethnic group above another. It is easy to see how such a curriculum can fuel racism.
When a curriculum is focused on diversity and inclusion, it gives those minority groups a sense of belonging and empowers them to rise above the stigmas that have been placed on them.
Depending on the age of the students, the language revolving around racism, inequality, privilege and prejudice should be discussed. If the students are still too young to understand these concepts, age-specific goals can be set, like treating each other fairly and celebrating differences.
When these concepts are demystified, students get a chance to view cultural differences objectively. When kids are taught the value of inclusion from a young age, then they will also tend to spot injustice quickly and do something about it.
Representation is crucial
If you are going to talk the talk, then you have to walk the walk as well. In any given school, there needs to be a fair representation of cultural diversity. Kids are very perceptive and quickly draw the parallels between what you say and what they see. If they do not perceive inclusion and diversity in their school or college, then it is easy to shrug off what the teachers are saying.
Having a diverse representative group of staff, teachers, management and leadership teams not only benefits what the kids perceive but the teachers as well. This diverse group of people can bring fresh ideas, explain cultural differences and clear the air on preconceived ideas when they come up.
When the staff implements and practices diversity, the students also have something to work with. They can see living examples of the benefits of inclusion and quickly start to do the same. Students mostly look up to their teachers and when the example is set right, they will also be more likely to follow suit.
Conclusion
In general, most schools are still far behind in adopting any form of an inclusion and diversity strategy. They are still plagued by the inequality of the past and, in some cases, are not even aware of it. Nevertheless, if the recent past has taught us anything, it is that something needs to be done and soon. The sooner you start with inclusion, the easier it will become to sustain in the future.
Author’s Bio:
Robert Everett works as an education research specialist for a leading NGO in the student welfare domain. He also works for a reputed online assignment writer as an essay writer and covers social science topics. In his free time, he loves playing with his pets, watching wildlife documentaries and reading newspapers and magazines.
