‘Parents … expect teachers keep their politics out of the classroom’: Alex Ryvchin

Victorian teachers who participate in “radical” pro-Palestine protests or forums — and use their classrooms to share their views with students — could face disciplinary action.

Hundreds of vocal teachers are facing backlash from parents and potential disciplinary sanctions from their employers when schools return, following a series of “radical” pro-Palestine protests and forums organised over the summer break.

Teachers for Palestine is planning a forum discussing “the genocide in Gaza” before the start of the school year, which will include a panel of teachers discussing how they are using their positions as educators to “show solidarity with Palestine in our schools and classrooms”.

In late December, hundreds of Victorian school teachers and staff signed an open letter demanding Education Minister Ben Carroll lobby the federal government to sever military and diplomatic ties with Israel.

The letter claimed teachers were being subject to “disciplinary threats related to anti-Semitism”.

Pro-Palestine supporters gather at the State of Library of Victoria during a Free Palestine Rally on December 30. Picture: Diego Fedele

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said those educators participating in anti-Israel events were compromising the welfare of children in their care.

“Parents place their trust in teachers every day and expect teachers keep their politics out of the classroom,” he said.

“If a teacher cannot do this, schools need to act to protect the profession and our children.”

Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto said the Teachers for Palestine movement was “promoting dangerous radicalisation in our children’s classrooms”.

“This is offensive to all students and risks the safety of Jewish students in an already tense environment where anti-Semitism is on the rise,” he said.

Victorian mum Lisa, whose 14-year-old daughter attends a state secondary school in Melbourne’s inner east, said she was “fed-up” with teachers participating in pro-Palestine action.

“Teachers must remain impartial and not bring their political views into the classroom,” she said.

“My daughter is at a school where some of her teachers attended the pro-Palestine protests.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Jewish or not, this behaviour doesn’t promote inclusivity for all students.”

Hundreds of Victorian school and university students gather at Flinders St station for a School Strike for Palestine rally. Picture: Suzan Delibasic

Other parents have expressed similar views on social media, with one parent saying that international conflicts could be a useful topic of classroom debate but that classroom teachers should not share their personal views on the Palestine conflict.

Another parent said teachers should not use their jobs as teachers to publicly promote their political views.

Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson said teachers should set aside their personal views and teach “with impartiality and without personal bias”.

A Department of Education spokesman said its employees should not use their jobs to make political statements.

“The overwhelming majority of principals and school staff continue to do an excellent job … in supporting their school communities through what continues to be for so many a deeply distressing time,” he said.

“In Term 4, 2023, we communicated with all government schools to remind staff of their professional obligations as well as the importance of treating each other with respect, understanding and sensitivity.”

In a joint statement from Teachers and School Staff for Palestine Victoria, the group said it’s “confident” teaching and learning about the genocide in Palestine from a human rights perspective is the “responsible educational response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”.

“Silence or equivocation in the face of genocide is never the lesson we teach students, and it is never the appropriate response from educators,” the statement read.

Teachers and School Staff for Palestine Victoria said it will not stay silent in the face of genocide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Teachers and School Staff for Palestine Victoria added its members were affiliated with a diverse range of communities including those of Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths, and thus the group “rejects the assumption that all Jewish students identify with Israel’s agenda”.

“The imposition of this conflation on Jewish students has led to division and alienation in our school communities,” the statement read.

“The expectation that only some histories and world events should be addressed by teachers in schools is indefensible, and would make teaching the curriculum rigorously and respecting our diverse education communities impossible.”

As for the upcoming Teachers forum, the group said it was an: “opportunity for educators to be safely in dialogue with one another and continue our work of teaching respectfully and inclusively”.

“(We) reiterate our commitment to the social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of all members of the Victorian community, and expect such a commitment to be universal,” the statement read.