AIBU to be shocked at this

[Stilllookingforthestars]

This (honestly!) isn't a rehash of all the BREXIT arguments of late. However, at school today a teacher said to a group of eleven year olds (in the context of discussing a text) 'well, there are always going to be silly, racist people around, there are in this country, that's led to us leaving europe'

(I know we aren't leaving Europe) But anyway, AIBU to think this is totally inappropriate?

I personally agree with the statement but as a teacher she should have been more balanced.

Those pp asking what's wrong, the Teacher Standards (which must be met to get qualified teacher status) say that teachers must "[ensure] that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils' vulnerability or might lead them to break the law." So you keep your own political opinions to yourself. It would feel wholly wrong to be telling a class what to think, that is not what education is about.

I admire the teachers' balls too. Of course she's right. Sometimes the best education in life is this kind of moment

This is the wrong site to pose that question - it appears that most MN would agree with the teacher...

I totally agree with her. BUT imo it wasn't appropriate to air that opinion in the classroom. Once you start giving your political take on current affairs then where do you draw the line? A teacher needs to be unbiased and neutral on things like this. It's a valid opinion but an opposing opinion would also be valid.

But fwiw I don't think teachers should give their political opinions any more than they should give their religious ones.

To think people voted Brexit for anything other than racism/prejudice is naive.

No, to think everyone who voted Brexit did so based on racism and prejudice is naive.

Yes, many did, there's absolutely no denying that. But to say everyone did is ridiculous.

To think people voted Brexit for anything other than racism/prejudice is naive

Ah right, you're speaking for me then? You know what colour skin I have? You know whether I'm the child of immigrants? I voted leave and I can assure you, I voted for reasons other than racism. ffs.

I voted remain but I'm embarrassed that a lot of the people who voted the same way are equally prejudiced, lumping all leavers in the same category and usually throwing a few names in for good measure.

If you were there can we have the rest of the lesson rather than a one line snap shot?

Context is everything

YANBU

The teacher is stating an "ALT fact".

Any teacher that shuts down any debate (and that is what this will do) shouldn't be in a classroom.

I think teachers ought to be able to share their political opinions (but on the basis that they stress that it is their own personal opinion and not 'fact') because many children won't hear anything other than their parents' opinions and so don't hear a balance growing up dad convinced me Thatcher practically saved the world Children should either be exposed to a plurality of viewpoints or none at all and as the latter is impossible then the former should be the aim.

Labelling all leave voters racist is utterly ridiculous. I voted remain. Some of my friends, kind hearted, left wing, trade unionist friends, friends who like a previous poster volunteer with refugee charities, voted leave. All you are doing by calling people racist is causing further division.

People with concerns about the effects of immigration on public services are not automatically racist. We can't have any reasonable debate if we keep narrowing it down to such simplistic concepts.

The teacher was unprofessional. Giving a balanced view of why you voted remain, fine (although many 11 year olds won't get it) but labelling millions of people in such a negative way, not ok.

Lingotria:To think people voted Brexit for anything other than racism/prejudice is naive

It's not just naive, but unreasonable, wilfully ignorant, and rather bigoted to assume that all Leave voters are racist and prejudiced.

Maybe you could read my post, just a couple of posts before yours.

I can't see how leaving the EU would put a stop to 'brown immigration'. But then neither do I care whether we have a few more or a few less immigrants, or whatever skin colour.

You might like to have a long hard think before calling others prejudiced. Pots and kettles.

She is completely inappropriate YANBU

Not everyone who voted to leave is a racist....

Yanbu

Totally inappropriate and a poor teacher.

YANBU - I'm a remainer, but I think an educational environment should be apolitical.

Natsku

Would you be happy with UKIP, BNP, EDL, PETA or any extreme view being presented in schools?

Or just the ones that you agree with?

I don't want to cause any potential identification to the teacher in question Still but it was during the discussion of a text.

Yep. Yeah. Like people who objected to the Euro were little Englanders who just wanted the Queen's head on their coins. And just look how well that turned out? Of course it could never be possible 'little Englanders' have valid well thought out concerns that go beyond wanting a black passport?

children can read up on alternative political points, it's not up to a teacher to give their own opinions. I really don't believe that parents and teachers are the only people that will ever influence a person's political viewpoint.

But by basically saying that leavers are racist, you risk a child (who doesn't understand political nuances) assuming it's true (after all a teacher said it) rather than just an opinion.

Surely it's the right of parents to discuss politics with their children?

And those who are okay with teachers giving their political views, I presume you would be happy for them to discuss their religious opinions, what they think of trans issues (very topical) etc etc?

YANBU, this was inappropriate and self-indulgent.

Yes totally and utterly in appropriate, I would mention this to the head.

They are supposed to teach put info out there, let dc make up own minds - its what I do with my own DC! I tone down my own views I dont want to brain wash them, they have a right to their own minds.

@BeBeatrix - you clearly didn't follow the news after the event when people admitted they thought Brexit would reduce 'brown immigration'? (I'm brown and trust me I've seen a 300 per cent increase in hate crime against me personally post-Brexit even in London). And I also take it you didn't see the Leave campaigns anti-immigration posters using photos of Syrian refugees?

There wasn't a single logical argument in the Leave campaign - simple research would have helped identify that. This was a purely emotional vote and it was def based on racism and racial prejudice.

Examples- plenty more where they came from

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-immigration-voters-eu-nationals-stephen-crabb-white-paper-a7562466.html%3Famp

m.hindustantimes.com/columns/the-message-from-britain-is-clear-indians-are-not-welcome-anymore/story-1oV838U6xcqGHf39vu9XuN.html

m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/uk_576e558ce4b08d2c563937ff