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.”
Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) 
