I’m a traveller mum and I’ve had to pull my kids out of THREE schools – it’s a nightmare
A TRAVELLER mum-of-two has been forced to pull her kids out of three different schools over alleged racist abuse.
Charmaine Abdul-Karim, a member of the Romany gypsy community in her hometown of Nantwich, Cheshire, said she and her family have been "very distressed" by the "abhorrent" way they have been treated.
The 42-year-old, told : "My children have had to leave three schools as a result of racist bullying.
"One headteacher even did a social services evaluation without my knowledge which was very distressing.
"Another situation involved an ambulance being called.
"The school staff were more interested in telling paramedics that my family were 'travellers' rather than helping."
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Following the ordeal, as well as resigning from jobs following reported prejudice, Charmaine is now urging the council to take action.
She wants schools to be given cultural compliance training and the local authority to encourage integration - but this has reportedly fallen on deaf ears.
Charmaine added: "We are one of the few communities where it seems acceptable to still be racist towards, despite being an indigenous people to this country.
"We are fighting against a system that is abhorrently racist, and what is happening now with anti-trespassing laws is basically 'forced assimilation'."
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A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council told The Sun: "We have been actively engaging with the local Pride of Romani group for the last 12 months now and the group plays an active role in our decision making processes around services for the Gypsy Roma Traveller community.
"We also have a small team of electively home schooled and Gypsy Roma Traveller education advisors who are on hand to help children enjoy the best education, supporting them to learn, develop and achieve their full potential.
"Children and young people from all backgrounds are welcome in our schools and any allegations are taken seriously.
"Our aim is that Cheshire East is an area of equal opportunity, where everyone has a fair chance and people from all backgrounds take part in community life.
"We continue to work with communities to further improve our support and meet their needs."
