Australian International Academy teacher Sheik Nasrallah Chaarani suspended on interim basis

A long-serving school teacher and Muslim sheik has been suspended by the teaching regulator.

Sheikh Nasrallah Chaarani has been teaching at the Australian International Academy for 27 years.

A Muslim sheik and long-serving school teacher has been suspended by the teaching regulator.

Sheik Nasrallah Chaarani, a teacher at the Australian International Academy, was suspended on an interim basis on April 21 by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

United Imams and Duaat Victoria spokesman Mohamad Assal said: “Mr Chaarani has been temporarily suspended from his position as a teacher by the teachers committee, not the school itself.”

“Mr Chaarani is confident all charges will be dropped and he will be reinstated,” Mr Assal said.

Sheik Chaarani has also been a Muslim marriage celebrant for 17 years.

He has been teaching at the Australian International Academy for 27 years.

Sheikh Nasrallah Chaarani.

He has been a teacher and a marriage celebrant.

The school was Australia’s first Muslim college and now it has 1584 students – 98 per cent who speak a language other than English at home.

It receives more than $20 million a year in government funding and charges up to $7,000 for year 12.

NAPLAN results show it has below average results in numeracy at all year levels and in reading from years three to seven. Spelling, writing and grammar are all at standard, with year three spelling above standard.

The school has four campuses in Melbourne in Coburg and Caroline Springs and is the only Muslim school in Australia to offer the full International Baccalaureate program in year 12.

Sheik Chaarani declined to speak to the Herald Sun when contacted, but it is understood he will contest any findings.

The school was contacted for comment but all spokespeople were on leave.