teachers imposing their views

[Chichi444]

My son age 9, came home yesterday and told me that during their free reading time in class his substitute teacher had instructed everyone to pick a book of their choice but it had to be a non fiction so my son and his friend picked the bible, but they were later told to go and select a different book as the bible in her opinion would be classified as fiction my son and his friend disputed this as we are Christian and so is my son’s friend.
The teacher reaction to their disagreement was “there’s no proof whatsoever that the bible is real” so they were forced to pick different books.
I am absolutely furious about this!
aren’t teacher meant to remain impartial on topics such as religion and politics?
and is there anything I can do as a parent for there to be consequences as I find this unacceptable.
thank you for reading!

Unless it is a Christian faith school, there's not a lot you can do in regards to the school. Make sure you tell your child that some people do not understand the truth of Jesus, and that teachers will never know more than God.

so yes it is a CoE school I’m waiting to have a meeting with the head.

@Thegreatestoftheseislove But yes you are right I have spoken to him about different opinion others may have.

Im just annoyed at the way she went on about it could’ve have been said in a different manner as we are talking to children not adults and also I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t say something like that to a grown up.

Although I agree with the teacher I think it was inappropriate for her to say this. I also think it's ridiculous to make such a fuss about what 'qualifies' as a non fiction text. As it's only a substitute teacher though i don't think it's worth doing anything about.

As it is a church school, I would be saying something also. As it is a church school, I too would be VERY disappointed in the teacher. I guess though, your son will one day be faced with this ungodly world, so you are already equipping him by way of this questionable teacher.

I was expecting this to be a secular school. I'm shocked that a church school would take this approach. I would be saying something too. That teacher needs to get off her high horse.

This was ridiculous in the context. I’m a Christian so do believe the Bible. However the Bible does not appear in secular libraries in the fiction section. It appears in fact as a religious text. It would be studied for a number of reasons.

Of course none of that relevant to a 9 year old free reading. I would complain because sometimes substitute teachers will teach a number of times even if each is a few days.

A lot of autobiographies are very much from the individual point of view and the truth may be dubious and they are non fiction.

OP, looks like you’re getting the responses you want on this thread rather than on your earlier thread.

Absolutely, both very interesting I must say!

I would say the teacher is not a Christian, by her reply! Sad state of affairs for a CoE school.

I do think it's wonderful your child and his friend chose the Bible!

You don’t have to be a Christian to teach in a faith school. My DD teaches in a Catholic school and the majority of the staff are not Christian.

The Bible is not classified as fiction. This isn't about whether you're a Christian or not. You won't find it in the fiction section of any library I can think of. The teacher is a thicko.

Right? It’s so very annoying I’m honestly not going to let this one go I have a meeting scheduled with the head and the school’s reverend.

Well, I suggest you look up how it's classified in your local library.

More than that, consider what's actually in it. The New Testament is made up of what are intended to be historical records and the Epistles are letters of advice to churches, so very clearly non-fiction. Their historical accuracy is beside the point. Same with the Old Testament: books like 1&2 Chronicles, 1&2 Kings, Exodus and so forth also purport to be records of things that happened. All I can think of that is truly fiction would be, say, Job and Song of Songs.

If the teacher has described the Bible as fiction then the teacher either doesn't understand what fiction or non-fiction is, or doesn't know anything about the Bible.

I work in a CofE school and am Christian. I am glad you reported this teacher, awful conduct.