England teacher blames Bangladeshis for spreading Covid-19, apologizes

A primary school headteacher has been forced to apologize after sending a letter to parents blaming a “small element” of the Bangladeshi community for failing to stick to coronavirus regulations.

Karen Todd, head of the Richard Avenue Primary School in Sunderland, England, said in her letter on Tuesday that she was aware of a "number of families" who were putting themselves and their families at risk of the virus, as well as other pupils and their relatives, reported the Telegraph. 

Mrs Todd listed activities that were "against the law," including weddings in homes, families visiting people at their house, people sharing cars and not wearing masks, and families who were awaiting the results of a coronavirus test yet still sending their children to school.

She wrote: "It is adults who are making these totally irresponsible decisions and it needs to stop."

She added: "This virus is highly contagious, significantly impacts more on the BAME community and can kill.

"I feel many people need to wake up, take responsibility and change their behaviour."

The headteacher went on: "My staff and I are trying to do the right thing for your children, each other and our families, and I feel totally let down by a small element of the Bangladeshi community."

The letter sparked a strong response from parents and a series of complaints.

Mrs Todd then issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: "I would like to apologize to the entire school community, particularly those from the Bengali community, for the letter that I issued to parents yesterday.”

She said she regretted sending it and accepted responsibility for the “offence caused.”

"I am passionate about the inclusive and diverse education of our children and I am truly sorry for my actions,” she added.

Abu Shama, manager of the Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre, who has a child at the school, told the Sunderland Echo: "I am not saying that people haven't followed the lockdown rules 100%. But which community has?

"So why just single out an individual community?”