The General Teaching Council for Scotland [GTC Scotland] has issued its 2022 Saroj Lal Award, which recognises a Pioneering Spirit in Equality and Diversity.
The award this year has been shared between two inspirational teachers in Catherine (Katie) D’Souza and Carrie McWilliam.
D’Souza is a primary teacher in Port Glasgow, while McWilliam teaches English at a secondary school in Aberlour. The two teachers have been recognised with the award as true pioneers for their schools and local communities.
The award celebrates the work of teachers who actively challenge discrimination, demonstrating a pioneering spirit and determination, in a bid to promote and facilitate a culture and ethos of equality and diversity.
The award is in honour of Saroj Lal, a trailblazer working at the forefront of multicultural and anti-racist education in its early years and laying the foundations for many others to build on.
Her son and award panellist, Vineet Lal, said: “The GTC Scotland Saroj Lal Award recognises outstanding endeavour by educators in the field of equality and diversity – those who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to champion these core values through their work.
“The joint winners of the 2022 award exemplify those principles magnificently: in Katie (D’Souza) and Carrie (McWilliam) we have two remarkable women who, in their own different yet complementary ways, have chosen to challenge established norms, to forge new paths and break new ground. Just like Saroj, who began her pioneering journey half a century ago, this year’s winners are true trailblazers and are an inspiration to their pupils, peers and communities.”
Dr Pauline Stephen, chief executive and registrar at GTC Scotland said: “The teaching profession in Scotland sets high standards for itself. This is reflected in their values of social justice, trust and respect, and integrity. These values speak to the aspiration of the profession for an inclusive world.
“Our schools and learning communities are enriched with a diverse mix of people with different experiences and from different cultures and backgrounds, from the children and young people, to the teachers who work with them.
“Winners of the Saroj Lal Award are inspirational in their work to promote equality and diversity. Through their leadership, they are moving the profession, and society, closer to realising this aspiration.”
Professor Rowena Arshad CBE, FEIS, chair in Multicultural and Anti-Racist Education, University of Edinburgh and award panellist, said: “The Saroj Lal award recognises those who are prepared to step out of their comfort zone to make a difference in the area of equality and anti-discrimination. It is really exciting that in 2022, this award goes to two teachers.
“Both these teachers work in very different contexts: one in primary (urban) and the other in secondary (rural). However, both recognised the need to use the formal curriculum to provide opportunities for young people to confront stereotypes, to challenge prejudice and to be comfortable with diversity. I hope receiving this award spurs them to continue to be teachers that dare to make a difference.”
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
