One in three foreign students say they feel discriminated against by teachers in their school environment, according to a new study by NOVA University of Lisbon which surveyed more than 1,400 participants across nine schools in the municipalities of Lisbon, Amadora, and Sintra.
The research indicates that 55.7% of students with an immigrant background say they have experienced discrimination at school, a figure that rises to 70.6% among first-generation students.
Most of the incidents reported occur between pupils, but teachers are involved in 35% of cases, with non-teaching staff featuring in 10.9%. The discrimination identified is primarily linked to skin colour, physical appearance, and country or territory of origin. In cases involving teachers, the most frequently cited factors include country of origin, skin colour, and instances of differential treatment or exclusion.
The study also finds that more than 38% of students who say they were discriminated against by teachers choose not to disclose the reasons, and that the majority report such situations occurring not just once, but on several occasions. The findings are described by researchers as “serious, and potentially underestimated”, given the emotional difficulties associated with reporting discrimination and the fact that the survey was conducted in a classroom setting.
The research highlights institutional shortcomings in some schools, including a lack of preparation for multicultural contexts, inconsistent interpretations of legislation, and practices that hinder inclusion, such as outright banning students from using their mother tongue whilst learning Portuguese.
Source: DN
