An Edinburgh teacher has been named joint winner of a national award for promoting equality and diversity.
Youssouf Kassime, from The Royal High School in Edinburgh, shares The Herald Saroj Lal Award 2026 for a Pioneering Spirit in Equality and Diversity with Inverclyde’s Cassie O’Neill and Dundee lecturer Allan Smith.
Kassime and his fellow winners received the award for their work on racial literacy projects and their roles in shaping equalities policies.
Cassie was recently presented with the shared prize at her school by the son of Saroj Lal, a former race relations campaigner.
The prize celebrates the work of teachers who actively challenge discrimination to promote and facilitate a culture of equality and diversity in the classroom and beyond.
Cassie said: “Promoting equality and social justice is important to me and Saroj’s legacy continues to inspire me and others to champion inclusion and ensure it is at the heart of the curriculum and teaching.”
The award was presented by Vineet Lal, who was accompanied by TV presenter Jean Johansson, education officials, and pupils involved in racial literacy work.
Judges noted the winners were able to confront stereotypes, challenge prejudice, and step out of their comfort zone to make a difference in the area of equality and anti-discrimination.
The award is named in honour of Saroj Lal, a teacher and community activist who worked at the forefront of multicultural and anti-racist education.
The 2026 season of the award, now in its fourth edition, received a record number of nominations from across Scotland, including submissions from the college sector for the first time.
- This article or a part of it is provided by the news agency Deadline News Limited and published here with permission.
- Contact Deadline News Limited if you would like to use any or all of this article.
