In a recent article published by The Guardian, a UK teacher has raised concerns about political bias. Statements of concern include the following:
‘A large majority of staff at our school vote Labour. As a Labour supporter, this thrills me; as a teacher, it makes me question whether my school is doing enough to help our students appreciate other viewpoints’.
In this comment, two things stand out. First, the political uniformity of the school. Second, the potential for personal views to compromise professional responsibility.
Irrespective of who they are, Australian teachers, too, will also give their viewpoints in terms of how they see a particular problem.
If teachers have sympathies with ‘green’ policies, or far-right leanings, or if they are loyal trade union members, what viewpoints will they impart to students, when giving their opinions? Will other viewpoints, with which teachers might not agree, be freely and openly expressed, to ensure balance and avoid bias?
In Australia, there are approximately 3.8 million students, in 9,450 schools, which employ 283,000 teachers.
It has been made clear that the Trades Hall Council requires all teachers and school leaders to be members of a union. In their teaching, some teachers will ignore the demands of the council. The danger however, lies in those teachers who are fanatical in their outlook on trade unionism. This also applies to teachers who are fanatical supporters of the Greens movement.
Of further concern to the UK teacher is that ‘Most of the parents and teachers vote Labour and don’t do enough to help students understand other points of view’.
If Australian teachers share the viewpoints of trade unions or Greens, have the support of like-minded parents, and ignore any counter viewpoints held by other parents, then what recourse do these other parents have? In terms of significant influences, to what extent will their children be shaped by the school, instead of by them, the parents?
The One Nation Party has begun to take action on political influence, and has developed a policy to deal with radical extremism in schools.
This policy seeks, among other items, implementation of the following:
‘A strict Code of Conduct for the way in which teachers explain to students acts of radical Islamic terrorism. The emphasis must be on evidence and reality rather than Leftist apologies and rationalising away violence of this kind’.
‘A regular, transparent system of public reporting on incidents involving radicalised Islamic behaviour, and the action taken by schools in response. These reports should be tabled in NSW Parliament’.
Has our nation finally reached a tipping point, where the sharing of viewpoints will no longer be permitted to take precedence over the teaching of accurate knowledge as a basis for understanding?
When viewpoints are shared, the ability to discern between right and wrong, and between truth and opinion, is of vital importance. If our students are to develop this ability in Australian schools and classrooms, then parents must also step up.
If you are a parent, you are the principal person in your child’s life. You have the controlling authority over what kind of education your child receives. Don’t be afraid to assert that authority.
Specifically, what can you do?
1. Make an appointment with your child’s teachers to learn where their political loyalties lie.
2. Request copies of the actual curriculum being taught in your child’s classroom/s and the references used with regard to political issues – e.g. climate change and the environment, Islam, aboriginal land rights, sexuality education
3. Start a conversation with other parents and learn more about the leanings within the school community.
4. Be confident in your viewpoints by demonstrating sound knowledge and don’t be intimidated by counter viewpoints.
5. Assert your right to be heard and demonstrate your respect for the right of others to be heard.
6. Take the lead in having conversations with your children and demonstrate the importance of understanding different viewpoints.
7. Hold a community meeting to discuss ways to drive diverse knowledge-based viewpoints and to stamp out political bias.
If students are to understand why others might reasonably hold different political views, and if we are serious about stamping out the political uniformity that currently exists in Australian schools, then different views must be supported with compelling counter narratives.
Our students should not be compelled to attend any school where there is biased indoctrination and, consequently, loss of freedom.
Copyright © Cheryl Lacey 2019
Email cheryl@cheryllacey.com and mention this post to receive your complimentary report on Sensible Strategy for Leaders of Education.
Cheryl Lacey is an educationist and advocate of agitating change in Australian education to face global challenges facing Australia and Australians.
If you would like to learn more about the outcomes achieved by educational leaders and teams who have worked with me, contact me at cheryl@cheryllacey.com or visit www.cheryllacey.com
