NSW Premier Chris Minns declines to criticise minister Jihad Dib’s wife for comments
NSW Premier Chris Minns has refused to criticise the wife of one of his ministers for pushing pro-Palestine views in her capacity as a teacher.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has refused to criticise the wife of one of his ministers for pushing pro-Palestine views in her capacity as a teacher, as the peak Jewish body says teachers should “educate, not propagandise”.
On Monday, a Teachers for Palestine’ meeting recording was uncovered in which Erin Dib, the partner of NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, alleges she was counselled last year for “communications on the conflict in the Middle East” by the NSW Education Department.
Ms Dib is a teacher at the public Burwood Girls High School in Sydney’s inner west.
Both Mr Minns and Mr Dib declined to comment on her disciplinary action.
“I’m not going to comment about a private citizen, even one s married to a colleague of mine,” Mr Minns said.
“She’s not a politician. And I think most people would regard that as completely reasonable.”
Mr Dib echoed this sentiment. “I’d say at the outset, I love and support my wife. We’ve been married for over 25 years. She is not a politician. She’s a private citizen, and she’s made some comments in that capacity. This is now an issue (that will) be dealt with between her employer and herself,” Mr Dib said.
He was asked if his partner had asked him to speak at a Teacher’s for Palestine rally, which he did not confirm or deny. “We’ve had a number of conversations as any husband and wife would,” he said,
“We have a number of discussions. My positions have always been very clear. I’m here in my capacity as a minister delivering for the people of NSW in the regions.”
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry argued that activism in classrooms would stifle the independent opinion of developing students, a stance backed by the NSW Education code of conduct, which calls for apolitical teaching.
“Schools and classrooms are supposed to be places of learning, not propaganda and indoctrination,” the council’s co-CEO Peter Wertheim said.
“Teachers who wear a keffiyeh or T-shirt or badge featuring a political message at school, or hand out advocacy materials, are abusing their position of trust and authority.
“Teachers by virtue of their position, have enormous influence over the impressionable young minds under their charge. That trust should never be exploited for political advantage.
“Teachers have no right to use the authority and influence (their) role confers on them, in order to condition their students to embrace their opinions. Persistent offenders who ignore warnings that they are in breach of professional conduct rules should be sacked. Teachers should educate, not propagandise.”
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