Racist or extremist views and activities are a problem in the UK's schools and colleges, according to a poll carried out by the UK's largest teachers' union.

In the poll of black and minority ethnic (BME) members of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), carried out at the union's BME Teachers' Consultation Conference in Birmingham, 82% of participants said they had been discriminated against, harassed or intimidated at work because of their colour or ethnic background.

In the last 12 months, almost half (47%) said they had experienced discrimination in relation to their pay and career progression, and 85% agreed that schools generally pay lip service to equality for BME staff and pupils.

Just over 60% did not agree that schools were seriously committed to tackling discrimination and harassment against Muslim pupils and staff, and 94% were concerned that the Government's Prevent Strategy, aimed at tackling extremism, might be used to discriminate against or exclude BME staff or pupils NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates told BME members that the coalition Government had broken its pre-election promises to tackle racist extremism by prohibiting racists from working as teachers or serving as governors.

Ms Keates also said the conditions for racial harassment and bullying had been allowed to grow.

She commented: "The coalition Government's education reforms have been and are a backward step in race equality in schools, not only for black and minority ethnic children and young people, but also for black and minority ethnic teachers."

Ms Keates stated that the Government had "abandoned" the Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant and removed the requirement for Ofsted to inspect how schools are complying with their statutory community cohesion duty.

She added: "On top of this, ministers have abandoned the duty on schools to require them to report incidents of racial harassment and bullying.

"What is clear is that this coalition Government is serious about attacking the hopes and dreams of black and minority ethnic students and teachers.

"The results of today's poll will be taken forward by the NASUWT and the union will continue to campaign for education policies which address these issues.

"The issues raised will be a key priority for us with all political parties in the run up to the general election."