CHILDREN should be taught about the British empire and the “ongoing systemic and structural inequalities, and state-sanctioned racism,” Labour MP Claudia Webbe told the Commons yesterday.

She called on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to introduce a curriculum that teaches youngsters about racism.

Ms Webbe described being “shocked and alarmed” that pupils in her Leicester constituency had endured “physical and violent” racist attacks as they walked home from school.

She said: “This week, we’ve seen renewed calls for our schools to teach the true brutal history of the British empire and the legacy of imperialism and colonialism rooted in racism which continue today to have generational impact.”

Her speech follows the waves of global protests over police brutality and racism in society sparked by George Floyd’s killing in the US.

Mr Williamson said that teaching tolerance and respect was “incredibly important” but stopped short of promising changes.

He said that there was “an amazing range of resources” for schools and that the national curriculum already has the ability to allow for such lessons in history, English, and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education).