Schools in England told not to use material from anti-capitalist groups
JVL Introduction
As UK institutions of government pursue their descent into tinpot authoritarianism, the Guardian reports that schools in England have been directed not to use any material produced by organisations which take “extreme political stances”, even if the material itself is not considered extreme. Examples given of extremism include “a stated desire to overthrow capitalism”, “the endorsement of illegal activity”, and even “a failure to condemn illegal activities done in support of their cause”.
The foolishness of the formulation of the directive has a comedic aspect which serves well to illuminate its draconian character. For as QC Jessica Simor acidly points out, by the above criteria all literature produced by the government itself would be banned in schools.
GW
This article was originally published by The Guardian on Sun 27 Sep 2020. Read the original here.
Schools in England told not to use material from anti-capitalist groups
Idea categorised as ‘extreme political stance’ equivalent to endorsing illegal activity
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Equivalent to the Nazis habit of burning books. We are on a very slippery slope. On Newsight last week Alan Johnson was asked about suggestions from a minister that the Army could be used to police the Virus. Johnson said it sent a cold shiver down his spine. Rightly so. The UK is now run by those who have nothing but contempt for democracy.
Whoa! Why would the curriculum on health education and sex and relationships education be covering: “extreme political stances”, such as “a publicly stated desire to abolish or overthrow democracy, capitalism, or to end free and fair elections”; opposition to freedom of speech; the use of racist, including antisemitic, language; the endorsement of illegal activity; and a failure to condemn illegal activities done in support of their cause” anyway? Seems to me someone is mixed up here…
As far as I understand it, teachers are not required to refrain from stating their political views. Clearly, there are limits, such as hate speech, but the Guardian itself had an article on this in 2018, in response to another gagging attempt by the DfE. It really ought to do its homework.
The Guardian also missed two of the more draconian clauses in this latest DfE diktat, namely it prohibits airing of ‘divisive or victim narratives’, which could prevent speaking out against oppression and uses terms, as Novara Media points out, straight out of the far-right culture wars lexicon. The diktat also bans ‘presenting information to make unsubstantiated accusations against state institutions’, which begs the question of who is to judge when a statement is unsubstantiated and therefore in extremis prevents criticism of the government.
It is true that someone is confused. The muddying goes back to all this being included in Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education (2013 Coalition Government guidance). So don’t ask me how, but this is tied up with social and economic education. The new guidance says: Your local authority, governing body and headteacher must:
– forbid the pursuit of partisan political activities by junior pupils
– forbid the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school
– take reasonably practicable steps to secure that where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.
So critics are right, the principles introduced break the Government’s own guidelines. We need an alert Labour leadership prepared to propose policy that coheres with principle. Anybody?
No, Marge, someone, probably close to Cummings, knows exactly how to conduct salami tactics against dissent, actual or potential. “First they came for the Communists..” as Niemoeller (an opponent of communism )actually wrote…