Commons Sense

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Political Impartiality in Schools 2022-03-14

2022-03-14

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Jonathan Gullis
▸ Context
Concerns about political bias and extremism in education, particularly regarding teachers pushing extremist views on pupils and trade unions like NEU hindering school re-openings.
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure political impartiality in schools. A minority of teachers push extremist nonsense such as white privilege, cancel important figures, aided by politically motivated trade unions like NEU demanding unrealistic plans for school reopening and blaming NATO for Ukraine invasion instead of Putin.
Robin Walker
My hon. Friend speaks bravely based on his experience as a teacher, and the new guidance supports schools in making good decisions about working with external agencies without breaching legal duties.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to hold trade unions accountable were not provided
Speaking Bravely Based On Personal Experience New Guidance Will Help
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Jonathan Gullis
▸ Context
Concerns about political bias and extremism in education, particularly regarding teachers pushing extremist views on pupils.
Some teachers push extremist nonsense such as white privilege, cancel important figures. How will we hold politically motivated trade unions accountable to prevent them from using teachers as a gateway to push their far-left agenda?
Robin Walker
Pupils must form their own political views, schools should not indoctrinate or encourage children to support any particular political ideology. The new guidance helps schools make good decisions about working with external agencies and ensures engagement does not breach legal duties.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific measures to hold trade unions accountable were not provided
Pupils Must Form Their Own Political Views New Guidance Helps Schools
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Anum Qaisar
▸ Context
UK students trapped in Ukraine due to harrowing scenes there.
Can the Minister confirm whether contact has been made with UK students still in Ukraine and what support is provided?
Robin Walker
Yes, contact has been made. The government is providing various forms of support to help those affected by the situation in Ukraine, including practical assistance such as emergency accommodation and financial aid.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy