Pupils urged to speak up and speak out

AN education initiative to tackle prejudice and discrimination in schools has been launched.

The Speak Up – Speak Out campaign is a series of discussions, exhibitions and performances to promote diversity to youths in west Edinburgh.

Around 4000 pupils from the Royal High School, St Augustine’s High School, Forrester High School and Queensferry High School will be involved.

Victims and survivors of atrocities including the Holocaust will address the youths to discuss the hardships they endured at the time and to compare current issues relating to racism, sectarianism and other forms of discrimination.

The participants will then take part in a series of workshops and projects during which they will create images and messages which highlight the issue.

Each high school will also play host to the Anne Frank exhibition, which examines the factors that led to the Holocaust and compares the actions of the Nazis to similar hate crimes in Scotland and the UK today.

City education leader, Cllr Marilyne MacLaren said: “Learning from the past can help us to encourage tolerance and respect for others. Projects such as this are a fantastic way to learn about our history.”