A school teacher in Edinburgh has been awarded this year's Saroj Lal award for her pioneering spirit in promoting equality and diversity, a statement said.
Hardeep Kaur, a biology teacher at Portobello High School in Edinburgh, received the award from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland).
The award, named after Scottish race relations campaigner Saroj Lal, celebrates the efforts of GTC Scotland registered teachers who challenge adversity to promote and facilitate a culture and ethos of equality and diversity, the statement added.
During initial days of her career, Kaur resisted being seen as the token person of colour working in the equalities area.
However, in 2019, a racist incident spurred her to actively engage in equity initiatives within her school with a focus on benefiting the students, staff, and school community members, the statement added.
Kaur conducted staff training on addressing microaggressions and the correct pronunciation of names for black and minority ethnic students. She engaged with learners through personal and social education sessions, assemblies, and established equality groups for both students and staff, fostering confidence and the expression of anti-racist beliefs.
Under her guidance, students initiated the Standing Together campaign, featuring posters with discreet QR codes for reporting racist incidents. She also formulated a comprehensive policy for managing such incidents within her school.
Presently, she collaborates with the University of Edinburgh's School of Education to enhance their anti-racist practices and policies, providing support to Initial Teacher Education students.
"I am deeply humbled to have been selected for the Saroj Lal award, from a field I know is rich with talented colleagues all working to ensure Scotland is an inclusive and diverse country to live and work in. To have been given an award named for such an amazing woman is a huge honour and I will keep striving to make sure I'm worthy of it," Kaur said.
"I'm grateful for all the support I have received from family, friends, colleagues and most importantly the young people I get to work with and be inspired by every day."
Saroj Lal's son and award panellist, Vineet Lal, said, “Hardeep’s steadfast commitment to challenging prejudice within education, and her determination to embed the values of anti-racism within the school environment, exemplify the pioneering spirit that is the hallmark of this award.
“Her story is one that will undoubtedly inspire and encourage other practitioners within the sector to go above and beyond in the name of equality, and to make a real difference – all qualities that Saroj herself would have recognised and applauded.”
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)