money White privilege not ‘a fact’ and shouldn’t be taught as one, says Gillian Keegan
White privilege is not “a fact” and should not be taught as such in schools, Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, has said.
Ms Keegan said people needed to be able to have “open discussions” about topics such as white privilege, but added that schools “shouldn’t be teaching things as fact that are debates”.
Asked whether white privilege was a fact, she told LBC radio: “I don’t think it’s a fact. I don’t, for me, think there is a privilege to being white on its own.”
The Education Secretary was asked by MPs about controversial school lessons during an education select committee hearing on Wednesday.
A recent report by Policy Exchange, a think tank, found that six in 10 school leavers had been taught concepts from critical race theory.
‘Ability to be transparent is fundamental’
Ms Keegan said schools should be open with parents about what is being taught, adding: “There’s many things that we’ll have differences of opinion about.
“But that ability to be transparent and to have those debates is fundamental. It’s fundamental in our schools. It’s fundamental in all of our educational institutions.”
Parents have been told by some schools that they are unable to see sex education materials provided by private companies.
Ms Keegan told MPs that a “big dose of common sense” was needed when it comes to sharing teaching materials and said parents should feel comfortable to “raise their concerns” about the teaching of gender ideology.
Early next year, the Department for Education is planning to publish draft guidance for schools on how to respond to children who say they want to transition.
Ms Keegan told LBC she does not believe some teachers are too “woke”, adding: “I don’t have that view. I mean, all the teachers I speak to are hugely dedicated, hugely innovative, as well, and very pastoral as well in their care for our children.”
