Arnault Kasa, a French and Spanish teacher at Bathgate Academy in West Lothian, has been recognised for his anti-racism work with a Highly Commended award at the Herald Saroj Lal Awards 2026. The awards celebrate teachers who promote equality and diversity in education.
Award Background and Purpose
The Herald Saroj Lal Awards are named after Saroj Lal, a pioneering teacher, race relations campaigner, and community activist who worked at the forefront of multicultural and anti-racist education in its early years. The awards honour educators who continue her legacy by fostering a culture of equality and diversity in schools.
Mr Kasa, originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, also lived in Prague, Czech Republic, where he experienced racism first-hand. Those experiences shaped his determination to challenge discrimination and help make anti-racist education the norm across Scottish education.
Career and Impact in West Lothian
He moved to Scotland in 2019 and joined West Lothian Council in 2021, where he led and supported a range of equality and diversity initiatives at Peel Primary in Livingston and Calderwood Primary in East Calder before joining Bathgate Academy. Throughout his teaching career, Mr Kasa has been driven by a commitment to ensuring every learner feels represented, respected and valued.
His work helped embed anti-racist practice into everyday school life and encouraged meaningful conversations around identity, inclusion and representation.
Community Involvement and Football
In addition to his teaching role, Mr Kasa is a semi-professional footballer with Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Lowland League and is actively involved with Afroscots United FC, a community organisation that provides young people from ethnic minority and all backgrounds with opportunities to stay active, improve their wellbeing and build friendships through sport.
Reactions and Significance
Arnault Kasa said: “I am truly delighted to have received this commendation in recognition of the equality and diversity work I have been doing both in education and within the wider community. It motivates me even more to continue building communities that are race-aware, inclusive and reflective of the lived experiences of people of colour. This commendation reassures me that the work being carried out is making a meaningful impact, and for that I am incredibly grateful.”
Vineet Lal, son of Saroj Lal and award panellist, said: “It was a delight to meet Arnault, and the judging panel were incredibly impressed by his journey and the path he continues to forge. He embodies all of the core values and principles that the award seeks to recognise, and is a deserving recipient of the Highly Commended certificate. In an increasingly challenging world and political climate, and especially in the light of recent events in Scotland, Arnault is a beacon of hope, and his work is more important than ever.”
