A study by University of Ulster researchers has shown that two-thirds of schoolchildren from a minority ethnic background in the North have been taunted by other pupils about their race and 14 per cent have suffered assaults.
The report, which is based on more than 100 interviews with Chinese, African, Indian and Traveller communities, also revealed racism in the workplace, with racial harassment and discriminatory comments being made. Among the problems highlighted were the failure of schools to respond adequately to racist incidents and the fact that some members of the Chinese community felt they were limited to seeking work in the catering industry because of language difficulties and local people's attitudes.
The report, Opportunities for All: Minority Ethnic People's Experiences of Education, Training and Employment in Northern Ireland, was written by Dr Paul Connolly and Dr Michaela Keenan.
"We are not saying racism is worse in Northern Ireland than any other region but we are trying to highlight the seriousness of the problem," said Dr Connolly.
"There is a difficulty with institutionalised racism and while government departments and agencies are making progress with initiatives to increase opportunities for minority ethnic people, a lot more still needs to be done."