'Brainwashing children!' Union sparks fury after urging teachers to bring 'Palestine struggle' into schools

Education Secretary defends comments that children need to be taught more 'grit'
BBC
Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 18/05/2025

- 11:28

Critics have accused the National Education Union (NEU) of spreading 'brainwashing' propaganda

Britain's biggest teaching union has faced fury after urging its to introduce the "Palestinian struggles" into schools.

The National Education Union is set to hold a workshop next month to train members to "advocate for Palestine in our schools".


Simultaneously, the NEU recommended that teachers hold a day of action in schools to highlight "the Palestinian struggle for freedom".

Critics have accused the NEU of pushing pro-Palestinian propaganda and warned that both events could violate legislation against promoting partisan political views in schools.

A teacher presents to her class of students

Critics have suggested that teachers could promote pro-Palestinian views in class

PA

They argue these activities could also contravene rules requiring balanced presentation of opposing views on political issues.

The NEU-organised workshop, being held in Liverpool on June 14, is being run by educational group Makan, which aims to "adopt educational approaches that capture the history of the Palestinian struggle".

Makan stated its workshops provide "foundational knowledge on key issues like the Nakba, settler colonialism, imperialism, and apartheid".

Concerns have been raised that teachers might encourage a one-sided perspective about the conflict in Gaza, which has sparked the legal charity UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to call on the Department for Education to crack down on what it describes as the promotion of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel propaganda.

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Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, said: "The NEU appears to be defying Government guidelines on political impartiality in schools, by persuading teachers to brainwash children into supporting the Palestinian cause.

"This is extremely concerning, and we hope that the local authorities and head teachers will act to ensure this does not happen."

The NEU rejected these claims, stating that its members adhere to their professional code of conduct and teach political matters in a balanced way.

Liverpool City Council has responded to UKLFI's call by saying it will remind teachers in the city's schools of the ban on promoting partisan political views.

National Education Union

The NEU said: 'It is not accurate to say it's designed to indoctrinate children and young people'

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Liverpool's director of education and inclusion, Reena Bhogal-Welsh, explained that she will urge teachers to "take steps to ensure the balanced presentation of opposing views on political issues when they are brought to the attention of pupils".

Bhogal-Welsh added that "teachers are free to attend protests outside of school" and that the council had no authority to ban the June 14 workshop.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "For any pupil to feel unwelcome or intimidated in their school is completely unacceptable. At a time when Jewish students are experiencing a surge in appalling anti-semitism, teachers should consider the message they are sending to children and young people when taking part in these activities.

"It is a legal duty for teachers to be politically impartial, and schools should be a place of safety for all children - no matter their faith or background."

The NEU defended its members, with a spokesman stating: "The day of action is explicitly for school staff and is not for students to participate in. It is not accurate to say it's designed to indoctrinate children and young people.

"The event in June is looking at equipping teachers with the confidence and resources to manage conversations or issues that may arise from the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine."