I am not sure these texts are racist…. Unless I’m missing something. I am far more concerned that a) a teacher gave students their personal phone and b) the children went through the messages. This is gross misconduct on the part of the teacher and an invasion of privacy on the part of the children.

I’m also going to suggest that private messages and conversations sent between colleagues who have stressful jobs are likely to contain hyperbole and fantasy alongside dark humour. Dark humour is an integral part of how many people in many professions cope with the emotional demands placed upon them.

I say that as someone who has worked in education and social work. You can call it racism if you like, but I think on this occasion the race element is missing. We must be very careful before we empower a youth Stasi determined to infiltrate and bring down the professionals around them.

Unless of course the kids are prepared to turn over their own private correspondence regarding the teachers and to be held accountable for any comments deemed discoverable. If comments by kids are held to the same standard in this situation, I expect most would be expelled.