A teacher from Sunderland is facing disciplinary action and could be struck off after making inappropriate comments in an on-line forum. It is the first case when a teacher could lose their accreditation due to engaging in racially discriminatory behaviour.
The teacher used his school laptop, during lessons, to post his opinions about immigration policy in the UK on an on-line discussion. He used expressions such as “animals”, “filth” and “dumping ground for the third world” to describe his dissatisfaction with the current immigration affairs in the UK.
He is being represented by the Solidarity trade union, which is closely connected with the British National Party of which the teacher is a member. In his weak defence the secretary of the trade union argued that it is his fundamental human right to be able to express his opinions freely. In addition they claim that his remarks were not racist or discriminatory at all and that the disciplinary proceedings should concentrate on the use of school equipment for private purposes, which is a contractual matter between the teacher and his employer.
The hearings of the General Teaching Council, which is considered to be quite a powerless and ineffective body, attracted large media coverage and demonstrations, with riot police employed to safeguard peace and order outside of the disciplinary commission premises. The case yet again sparked the debate about the right to express political opinions in public and at what point those opinions become unlawful as racial and discriminatory. Certainly, the language used to expressed opinions should be watched more carefully, as the teacher admitted himself. The question of whether he was entitled to express those opinions in public at all will be determined by the General Teaching Council. It should be noted that one of the basic principles of the code of conduct for teachers is to “demonstrate respect for diversity and promote equality”. It is no defence that the opinions were not expressed to the pupils or other employees at school. Teachers are role models and should conduct themselves appropriately outside of the classroom as well as in front of pupils.
The hearing has been adjourned, and we expect the announcement of the judgement on Tuesday.
