School leaders have welcomed proposals to create a “Unity and Conflict Unit” to support teachers who face threats and harassment that “restricts their freedom” while at work.
This is one of many recommendations. Examination commissioned by the government It focuses on the case of a religious studies teacher at a West Yorkshire school who was forced into hiding after being accused of blasphemy.
A review published on Monday said a teacher at Batley Grammar School was suicidal and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being the target of online and offline threats and abuse.
The teacher was suspended in March 2021 for showing students an excerpt from the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo during a religious studies class, prompting complaints from parents and protests at the school gate. caused.
He was subsequently cleared of committing a willful criminal act and was told he could return to work, but the review criticized his handling of the incident, saying: “At the expense of a religious studies teacher, “We pacified the protesters to ensure that the movement ended.” ” seems to have been given priority.
The research, carried out by Dame Sarah Khan, the government’s independent adviser on social cohesion and resilience, said: He also claimed that there was “unreasonable concern that he would do so.” harassment”.
The review said the Unit on Solidarity and Conflict will support affected teachers, as well as provide guidance, training materials and resources and collect solidarity data. They also called for legislation to create a 150m buffer zone around schools in England to prevent protests right outside the school gates.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Demonstrations should always be peaceful, but local authorities and police already have the power to restrict protests with coercive purposes.”
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, added: I’m being harassed with this, and I think it might be helpful.
“However, this…requires further consideration of how it complements and works with existing advice and support systems.”
Batley Multi Academy Trust, which manages the school that was at the center of protests three years ago, defended its actions. “We are clear that we have fulfilled our responsibilities and followed due process. This includes immediately establishing an independent investigation, accepting its findings and acting on them.
“We are therefore disappointed in today’s report. We do not recognize many of its contents, descriptions of events, and characteristics of the school and community.”
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, said Mr Khan was right about the threat posed by harassment restricting freedoms. “She is also right that a new government structure is needed to protect our democracy and address the threats to our unity. Rapid work is now underway to do just that. .”
The study cited higher education as another sector affected by “harassment that restricts freedom”, with one university canceling a planned academic research center after threatening to harass staff. He explained how he was forced to do so.
Government appoints university free speech czar to protect free speech and academic freedom, new law will put UK universities to take ‘reasonable steps’ to promote free speech impose obligations or face sanctions, including possible fines.
A consultation on new obligation guidance published on Tuesday warned that UK universities could be ordered to terminate agreements with overseas countries if they are found to have undermined free speech or academic freedom.
One example included in guidance published by the UK higher education regulator, the Office for Students, describes the case of universities taking in international students on overseas-funded visiting scholarships.
If students are required to accept the principles of a country’s ruling party, freedom of speech and academic freedom may be undermined and universities may have to terminate or amend their agreements, the guidance says. is stated.
The warning comes amid growing concerns that British universities are increasingly reliant on tuition fees from international students to stay afloat. The Sunday Times reported Many of Britain’s most prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, currently derive only a small portion of their fee income from British students, with some receiving more than three-quarters of their fees from overseas. That’s what it means.
Professor Arif Ahmed, OfS’s head of freedom of speech and academic freedom, told a news conference that universities may be putting the economic interests of international students ahead of protecting the freedom of speech of academics and students. I received a question.
He said the OfS would consider individual complaints, adding: “For example, if we find a case where a university is able to violate its free speech obligations for financial reasons and does not believe it is necessary to take practical steps to ensure free speech. ” or if they think they can compromise on such matters simply for financial convenience, it is very likely that they are in fact in breach of their obligations and if a complaint comes to us, we will may blame them. ”
