Education Minister takes aim at teachers wearing Keffiyeh scarfs and bringing Pro-Palestine flags to school

The Education Minister has criticised teachers who bring activism and political beliefs into the classroom, saying it could ‘provoke unrest’ and ‘discomfort’, and teachers should be “impartial”.

Education Minister Prue Car has launched a blistering slap down on teachers who have worn Keffiyeh scarfs and brought pro-Palestinian protest signs into classrooms instead of focusing on actually teaching children, warning it will provoke civil unrest across NSW.

Ms Car’s strong words in parliament on Thursday came after the NSW Teachers Federation unanimously voted at a meeting on Tuesday to supply union banners to school staff marching in pro-Palestine protests, and to also assert “the right of members to wear the Palestinian scarf, the keffiyeh, at work”.

The union also waded into the geopolitics of the Middle East and called for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It also said it will “continue to encourage the building of teacher contingents at the weekly Protest for Gaza marches” being held in Sydney and called for a review of the code of conduct, which prevents teachers from participating in political activities while at work.

NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car speaking during question time in NSW Parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Adam Yip

Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, Ms Car said she was astonished with the teacher’s union for encouraging teachers to politicise the classroom, making students feel unsafe.

“Our expectations of teachers in our schools is that we rely upon them to be impartial in the classroom,” she said.

“We do not want classrooms to be places where political activity takes place, that is not what schools are there for, we cannot have any actions that provoke unrest, discomfort, or make other students feel unsafe or unwelcome”.

Palestinian women with their faces covered in traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves. Picture: AFP

While Ms Car said she understood many teachers held personal political beliefs, she declared they were not to be expressed in the classroom.

“We have Jewish children in public schools, we have Palestinian children in public schools, we have Jewish teachers and Palestinian teachers, so what we must do at all times is make sure there are not political views being expressed in the classroom or in the playground during school time that make people feel uncomfortable and unsafe,” she said.

A Teacher’s Federation spokesman argued it was impossible to keep politics out of the classroom as students often raise issues regarding the Middle East. He said teachers should be afforded the professional respect to dress as they choose including wearing a keffiyeh or kippah.

Teachers have been asked not to bring political signage into clasrooms, like the ones seen in this march in San Francisco. Picture:

“Teachers understand their duty of care to their students – often, students raise with their teachers issues they find concerning as a means to seek clarity or help. This includes students raising matters related to the conflict in the Middle East,” he said.

“In such circumstances, teachers do what they have always done; deal with these matters as professionals and in a caring way.

“The Federation reiterates its strong opposition to all violence as well as racism in all its forms, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.”

In response to the vote Jewish schools issued a scathing indictment of NSW’s teachers union over its pro-Palestinian stance, warning there would likely be a rise in anti-Semitic bullying of public school students.

A 'United With Israel - Bring Them Home' protest on November 26, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Getty Images

The Australian Council of Jewish Schools, which represents Sydney’s Kesser Torah, Masada, Moriah and Mount Sinai colleges, said it would “warmly welcome” students who now feel unsafe in their current school environment due to the potential of increased politicisation in classrooms.

“In light of the attitude of the public teachers’ union, we can expect the level of anti‐Semitic bullying in public schools to increase further and consequently an increase in the feeling of insecurity amongst Jewish students in public schools,” ACJS Executive Director Leonard Hain wrote.

The Department of Education has warned teachers who break the code of conduct by engaging in political behaviour in school, they will be disciplined and subject to appropriate action.

“Teachers are expected to be politically neutral during class, on school grounds or anytime they identify themselves as a NSW public school teacher,” a department spokesman said.

“We provide clear guidance around this for all our employees in our Code of Conduct.”

Originally published as Education Minister takes aim at teachers wearing Keffiyeh scarfs and bringing Pro-Palestine flags to school