Some faced discrimination and bullying

British universities suffer from classism and bias towards local accents

• Durham University has recorded hostile behavior against poor students.

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In the United Kingdom, activists for equality said universities should work to eliminate discrimination against working-class students, including mockery of regional accents.

An investigation, conducted by the Guardian newspaper, found evidence that students in some of Britain's leading universities were being ridiculed for their accents and backgrounds, which in some cases prompted them to drop out of school.

The study found that discrimination against working-class students was particularly prevalent at Russell Group universities.

The group, made up of 24 institutions, has a reputation for academic excellence.

Through a series of interviews, former and current students reported being bullied and harassed because of their working-class accents and backgrounds.

Some said their academic ability was called into question, because of the way they spoke.

The specialized social committee described the situation as unacceptable, and said that accents have become a "real obstacle" for some students.

And a "hostile attitude" towards some northern students was recorded at Durham University.

Last month, the university launched an investigation, after it was reported that a wealthy new student had done a shameful act against underprivileged students.

The Chief Commissioner for Higher Education in the Specialized Social Committee, Sami Wright, emphasized that caste and the issue of accent are not limited to Durham.

He said that the government agency spent 18 months studying different opportunities for youth, depending on the region they came from.

“But we found that social and economic deprivation often hinders opportunities,” said Wright, who is also deputy director of the Southmoor Academy in Sunderland.

The accent is part of this, along with the cultural and social background. ”

Adding: "During my work in the Northeast, accent can become a milestone, and a tangible barrier for young people, who have a sense of social inferiority."

Wright said college outreach teams were consistently failing in their efforts to reassure working-class students;

"They say their institutions are friendly and welcoming, but when people who speak with a local accent, and middle-class students, who have been sent to the north, join, then it is for them to doubt."

The "Satin Trust", a charity that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access higher education, called on prestigious British universities to do more to ensure an inclusive and supportive environment for all university students.

The founder and president of the Satan Trust, Sir Peter Lampel, described the experiences of some students as “scandalous,” explaining that “it is really difficult for young people from low-income backgrounds to enroll in higher universities, and as a result of this, in addition to other reasons, it is completely unacceptable that They face discrimination while they are there. ”

Analysis by the Student Office, the regulator of public higher education, shows that nearly all societies with the lowest levels of access to higher education are in the industrial towns and cities of northern England and the Midlands, and in coastal cities.

For example, the most recent data shows that 55% of young people in London go to higher education, but only 40% in the Northeast.

The official at the Student Office, Chris Millward, said that the issue of accent bias speaks to deeper inequalities in the education system, explaining that “it is imperative that universities strive to create a culture open to all, and all students deserve the opportunity to thrive, regardless of where they come from.” ».

Not a welcoming environment

The vice president of the National Student Union, Sara Khan, said that working-class students were being praised and described as "meritocracy," but in some cases the reality was completely different.

"As long as working-class students have to pay their tuition fees, work alongside their studies to cover basic needs, and they are burdened with debt for the rest of their lives, higher education will never be a welcome environment," she added.

"It is unfortunate that these students, in a system like this, face prejudice and harassment, and this is only part of the iceberg, when it comes to class in our educational system," Khan said.

55%

Of young people, in London, go to higher education, but only 40% in the north-east of Britain.

The issue of accent bias speaks to deeper inequalities in the education system.

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