South Lanarkshire Council faces lawsuit over racist school allegations
Credit: @CathkinHigh Twitter
A new teacher is suing South Lanarkshire council for thousands after facing racism at a local school.
Tawia Abbam has claimed that she suffered numerous accounts of “racially experienced trauma” from staff at Cathkin High School in Cambuslang.
Ms Abbam is suing for damages which total at £13,664 for serious ‘injury to feelings’ after she allegedly received both direct and indirect discrimination on the grounds of her race, stated in tribunal documents as ‘Black racial group’.
SLC has now begun an investigation, which will come before an employment tribunal that is scheduled for later this year.
It has been confirmed that Ms Abbam moved from Cathkin High School last year following a dignity at work complainant, alongside grievance with employers. She then was based at Strathaven Academy, where she will continue her probation which ends in June.
Cathkin’s own campus police officer carried out an independent investigation, however there was no further action taken by Police Scotland.
After not responding to the tribunal judge in time, the local council has been granted an extension.
While there has been no details of the claims made public, SLC are conducting interviews with those involved. They hope to find how senior management coped with the concerns when they had been raised.
Teaching union NASUWT are representing Ms Abbam in the upcoming tribunal, as a result of failed talks with the school itself.
It was ruled to be in the best interest to grant South Lanarkshire Council more time to respond to the claims, however it were displeased with the length of time and lethargy it has taken for a response.
There will be a preliminary hearing on August 22, which is shortly ahead of Autumn formal hearing.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place on August 22 ahead of the formal hearing in autumn.
GCU contacted South Lanarkshire council on the matter, however received no reply.
