Mayor Burnham calls for Black history to become a core part of UK schools
Andy Burnham urged that Black History Month become a regular fixture and that Black history be taught in the national curriculum, citing the contributions of the Windrush generation.
At a reception for prominent members of the Black British community, Andy Burnham called for Black History Month to be observed year-round and for Black history to be incorporated into the school curriculum. He framed the appeal as a response to a “decade of division” marked by discrimination and attempts to split communities. Burnham praised the achievements of the Windrush generation and stressed that their contributions have not received full recognition.
He highlighted the recent election of Sagal Abdi-Wali, a former child refugee now MP for Holborn and St Pancras, as a testament to the country’s possibilities. The mayor also honoured Baroness Doreen Lawrence for her role in changing policing practices after the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Attendees, including broadcasters June Sarpong and Ekow Eshun, expressed support for making Black history a permanent part of Britain’s cultural narrative.
Why it matters
Embedding Black history in schools promotes inclusion and acknowledges the contributions of Black Britons to national identity.
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