MORE than 65 fixed-term exclusions were issued to Lincolnshire pupils for racism during the last school year.
Changes to the way racist incidents are recorded mean it is difficult to determine whether that is up or down on previous years, but the figures show 72 racist incidents in 2009, resulting in 29 exclusions, and 43 racist incidents in 2010, resulting in 16 exclusions.
But in many parts of the country, racist incidents have rocketed in recent years, according to a report by the BBC.
Sarah Soyei, of the anti-racism educational charity Show Racism the Red Card, believes a growth in racism towards Eastern European communities accounts for part of the growth.
She said: “Unfortunately the numbers of recorded racist incidents are just the tip of the iceberg
“Racism is a very real issue in many classrooms around the country, but cases of racist bullying are notoriously under-reported.”
The figures have been revealed after a Freedom of Infomation request to Lincolnshire County Council.
A county council spokesman said: “Schools have their own policies to deal with racist incidents.
“We take any issues that come to our attention very seriously.”