As millions of children return to school, the UK government is warning parents to ensure their children attend from day one. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “What we know is if children miss a day or two in the first couple of weeks of term, they’re more likely to go on to be persistently absent. That means they’re more likely not to be going to school on a regular basis, and all the consequences that has for their life chances.” (1)

However, research published by The Sunday Times revealed of the challenge reporting that “nearly 70 per cent of girls said anxiety had led them to skip school.” (2) These concerns were driven by a range of factors such as fears about exams (48%), finding a job, (47%), future financial worries (42%), physical appearance (37%) and mental health (31%). (3)

Not surprisingly neither the Education Secretary or the Times report mentioned any racial factors, not even the unique factors facing Afrikan girls. (4) So it is ironic that as the importance of attending school is being emphasised, exclusions and suspensions, designed to do the exact opposite are at an “all-time high,” disproportionately affecting Afrikan as well as traveller students. (5)

Moreover, it remains the case that “Black parents and pupils feel there is a lack of action against racism in schools, with racist incidents leading to few if any consequences,” with even Black teachers feeling powerless to combat. (6) Consequently, “feelings of disappointment, distrust and disillusionment” dominate Afrikan attitudes to education in the UK. (7)

While agonising over the plight of our children in UK schools, some analysts point to foundation schools (also known as supplementary schools or Saturday schools) as sites of resistance. (8) Yet few advocate for full-time Afrikan Schools tending to focus challenging the school system to reform. While this has its place, it is not the solution, as Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka argues:

“Black people will and must continue to strive to make the BES viable for Black children. However, it is axiomatic that a system that can only produce average attainment for the mere minimum of Black pupils, after 50 years, is not equipped to produce excellence for the majority. Furthermore, White teachers who are afraid of our children and are inclined to police, rather than provide an education for them, are not capable of inspiring them to achieve. In the words of Black education consultant Jawanza Kunjufu (USA): ‘You cannot teach a child you don’t LOVE… RESPECT… or CULTURALLY UNDERSTAND…’ Consequently, I can see no real solution, other than that that we should organise to procure government funds to establish our own faith and community schools.” (9)

The then interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament pledged to “Build and promote Afrikan-centred community schools” as part of a nation building strategy. With this mantle now taken up by the Pan-Afrikan People’s Parliament, it behooves us to support them and ultimately our children in realising this vision – if we have the will.

1) Hazel Shearing (31/08/25) Minister warns parents on school attendance ahead of new term. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7jk3rr225o
2) Caroline Wheeler (31/08/25) Age of anxiety: poll reveals teen views on stress, social media and school. https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/parenting/article/anxiety-girls-teenagers-skip-school-poll-pandemic-pornography-screens-p0b7dvxfw
3) Ibid.
4) Julie Blake (23/11/23) Exposing the fate of Black Caribbean girls in secondary schools in England. https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/exposing-the-fate-of-black-caribbean-girls-in-secondary-schools-in-england. ‘The participants’ narratives revealed experiences of institutional racism, teacher stereotyping, microaggressions, a national curriculum that fails to acknowledge Black Caribbean girls’ identity, harsher punishments than their White peers, sexual harassment and misogyny.’
5) No More Exclusions (2025) No More Exclusions Statement: Exclusions and Suspensions
Data released for 2023/24 and at an all-time high. https://www.nomoreexclusions.com/; Race on the Agenda (08/02/24) ‘Extremely worrying’ new figures show school exclusions for Black Caribbean girls are rising again. https://www.rota.org.uk/2024/02/09/pressrelease-new-figures-show-school-exclusions-for-black-caribbean-girls/
6) Chibuzor Tina Amadi, Anita Acquaah, Jhelisa Graham, Matt Johnson (2024) THE STATE OF BLACK EDUCATION IN BRITAIN. A power analysis for equity and change. https://blackequityorg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/FINAL-THE-STATE-OF-BLACK-EDUCATION-V6.pdf. p. 33
7) Maggie Semple, Paula Dyke, Kenny Monrose (2023) The Black British Voices Project. https://www.bbvp.org/. p. 48.; Dr Ian Cushing (27/03/23) How Black children in England’s schools are made to feel like the way they speak is wrong. https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2023/03/the-conversation-dr-ian-cushing/
8) Amadi et al. p.13
9) Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (2004) Education: An Afrikan-Centred Approach To Excellence. Soul Force Promotions. p. 13
10) Interim National Organising Committee (INOC) (28/11/15) MANIFESTO: Working Draft For Community Consultation. interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. p. 5

we ask the question:

What is in store for our children back at school?

1) Why are exclusions at an “all time high”?
2) Are the issues facing Afrikan girls in schools being overlooked?
3) Are we even equipped to challenge the school system as it stands?
4) Do we have the will to build full-time Afrikan-centered schools?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

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