In light of the Celebrity Big Brother row over racism, Education Secretary Alan Johnson noted that schools should do more to teach core "British values".

He said the "ignorance and bigotry" shown on the Channel 4 reality show must be tackled.

The treatment of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty showed schools needed to foster good community relations, he added.

Jade Goody, who was evicted from the show by a public vote, has apologised for her behaviour.

In an interview with the News of the World, Ms Goody said that she did not think she was racist, "but I accept I made racist comments," she added.

She also admitted that she bullied Ms Shetty. Her fees for the programme and the newspaper interview are being donated to charity.

Mr Johnson said: "The current debate over Big Brother has highlighted the need to make sure our schools focus on the core British values of justice tolerance.

"We want the world to be talking about the respect and understanding we give all cultures not the ignorance and bigotry shown on our TV screens."

In addition, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu has recently criticised acts of racism as he joined the Big Brother race row.

He commented that there is an "ugly underbelly in society only too ready to point the finger at the foreigner, or those who might not fit in".

He compared racism in society with the hospital superbug MRSA in the human body as he said it "is the worst enemy because it attacks directly community organs and all its component parts".

The Archbishop, who turned down an invitation to appear on Celebrity Big Brother, said it was everyone's duty to tackle racism head-on, both publicly and in private, from "whatever quarter it rears its vicious head".