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THREAD:
When @educationgovuk released guidance a while back that reminded schools & teachers of the legal requirement to cover political issues in a balanced fashion, some claimed that there was no evidence that balance wasn't being observed.
This is not the case.
When @educationgovuk released guidance a while back that reminded schools & teachers of the legal requirement to cover political issues in a balanced fashion, some claimed that there was no evidence that balance wasn't being observed.
This is not the case.
That the law requires schools & teachers to present contested political issues impartiality could not be clearer.
Schools do not get to pick & choose which laws they follow - whether it's the Equality Act, H&S rules, or those about political balance. https://www.tes.com/news/teaching-about-white-privilege-youre-breaking-law
Schools do not get to pick & choose which laws they follow - whether it's the Equality Act, H&S rules, or those about political balance. https://www.tes.com/news/teaching-about-white-privilege-youre-breaking-law
Life is not black & white, and teachers cannot pretend otherwise to pupils.
Of course schools should be teaching their pupils *about* relevant contested ideas - be it radical environmentalism, affirmative approaches to gender identity, or "white privilege". However...
Of course schools should be teaching their pupils *about* relevant contested ideas - be it radical environmentalism, affirmative approaches to gender identity, or "white privilege". However...
1) They cannot tell pupils that these ideas are given facts - they're not!
2) There are many constructive, inclusive, evidence-informed alternative ideas & analyses of these issues.
3) Schools must should cover these credible alternatives to the contested ideas too.
2) There are many constructive, inclusive, evidence-informed alternative ideas & analyses of these issues.
3) Schools must should cover these credible alternatives to the contested ideas too.
The vast majority of schools & teachers are doing an amazing job in this regard every day.
However, it is clear that there are some who do not believe political impartiality is required - indeed, that they think schools should be teaching radicalism: https://theblackcurriculum.com/blog-schools-parents-teacher/blog-post-one-ka78n
However, it is clear that there are some who do not believe political impartiality is required - indeed, that they think schools should be teaching radicalism: https://theblackcurriculum.com/blog-schools-parents-teacher/blog-post-one-ka78n
Most of the problematic material that we've seen has been on three key topics - Black Lives Matter/"anti-racism"; environmental activism; and affirmative approaches to gender identity.
We're only sharing a few bits here today as most stuff identifies the school concerned.
(Please don't name any school in any public discussions after this - we want a calm discussion on these issues, not school shaming.)
(Please don't name any school in any public discussions after this - we want a calm discussion on these issues, not school shaming.)
These slides from an assembly were not accompanied by any balancing credible alternative analyses of race relations & racism.
(Indeed, from investigation the whole school's approach to racism seems to be politically biased & illegal.)
(Indeed, from investigation the whole school's approach to racism seems to be politically biased & illegal.)
Some more:
This is from a school newsletter, and none of the assertions or information presented here was challenged or contested elsewhere:
This is material used by a number of schools.
(Note the v biased selection of books promoted to pupils - only the radical far-left take on "anti-racism" is promoted.)
(Note the v biased selection of books promoted to pupils - only the radical far-left take on "anti-racism" is promoted.)
Some more:
This is an important principle to get right in schools &, to be clear, most teachers are getting this right.
But where it is going wrong, it needs to be put right - politically biased schools are not inclusive schools, & they are letting down the communities they exist to serve.
But where it is going wrong, it needs to be put right - politically biased schools are not inclusive schools, & they are letting down the communities they exist to serve.
A few suggestions for getting things right from here. https://twitter.com/lehain/status/1319203950978019329
