Educators for Palestine

shimshun


In the year since the Coalition was launched, a number of groups have formed, drawing together
people according to some uniting factor, be it location in the city of affinity because of occupation.
One of these groups is Educators for Palestine, a team of teachers working at different levels,
from primary schools through to FE, including some retired professional teachers.

Silence

A matter of great concern not just in Sheffield, is the relative silence, even repression of speech on
Palestine. This was raised as a question to Sheffield City Council on February 7 th . It received a
supportive response for the relevant Councillor.

Teachers themselves are aware of the hostile environment in which those who support justice for
Palestine operate. Many teachers are nervous about raising the issue, feel isolated and therefore
self-censor.

The same inhibitions operate even more damagingly for youngsters. Children of all backgrounds
are computer savvy, can access the information and news not given space in the mainstream
media or BBC. Lots of these children have commented on the double standards operating
between schools’ fulsome and supportive response to the Ukrainian people and their resolute
ignoring of Palestinians. Children of Palestinian heritage feel especially distressed about the
failure of their schools to engage at any level, with the cruelly oppressive treatment of the
Palestinians, especially but not exclusively, in Gaza.

Sheffield Educators for Palestine have joined the Coalition against Israeli Apartheid and are
working to change this situation. The very existence of such a group has benefits: teachers can
discuss, share resources and experiences, both positive and negative. The group is committed to
an educational philosophy which recognises children’s right to discuss important world issues, ask
questions without fear and form their independent views in a safe space with supportive teachers.

ACTIONS TO DATE

  • The issue of repression of free speech in schools was raised in Sheffield Council.
  • The Educators for Palestine, with Coalition partners, has held two meetings for teachers
    and parents. The first followed a Coalition rally in which two keynote speakers were
    youngsters.
  • Running alongside this first gathering, young people (11-18) also had their own
    meeting, facilitated by the Educators’ group.
  • The second meeting for parents and teachers featured input from a parent from Halifax,
    supported by her local Councillor. We heard about how a group of parents successfully
    challenged the school to be more open about Palestine and received a publicly posted
    apology for disciplining children who wore T-shirts saying “Palestine” on a non-uniform day.
    An NEU representative outlined the supportive materials for teachers provided by the union.
    At the end of the meeting, Various supportive materials were issued and these can be
    accessed on this website.

AVAILABLE MATERIALS

  1. A question on education put to Sheffield City Council on February 7 th 2024.
  2. A reply to the above question from the responsible Councillor An article first published in
    the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid newsletter (adapted)
  3. Article published in Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid newsletter following the
    youth-focused rally and meetings for parents and youngsters.
  4. A handout for youngsters with suggestions on how to approach their schools about
    Palestine is here, issued at the discussion meeting for young people after the rally on
    February 24 th 2024.
  5. The correspondence from the Halifax parents’ group and the Councillor to the Trust is here.
    This is prefaced by a copy of the coverage in the local paper, The Halifax Courier. A link to
    coverage in The Asian Express Newspaper is given.
  6. A suggested template letter to schools, issued at the parents’ and teachers’ meeting, for
    adaptation and use by parents.
  7. An example of a successful student challenge in school, as recounted by her/his parent is
    here on the Parents for Palestine WhatsApp group.
  8. The NEU guidelines can be found here.
  9. We suggested parents look at the CAGE International guidelines for schools which are here. (the right hand navigation bar has a link to activism in schools)
    CAGE provides an advocacy service for schools where parents meet serious obstruction.

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