Call to stand up to extremism
The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK today called on trade unions and others in society to continue to stand up to extremism in all its forms.
Moving a motion on Education and Extremism at the TUC Congress in Brighton, the Union highlighted the importance of education in the fight against bigotry, hatred and extremism around the world.
It called on the TUC to plan and co-ordinate a campaign to challenge all forms of extremism in education.
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary said:
“We know that poverty and social and economic exclusion can allow extremism and bigotry to flourish and we must always remain vigilant to these dangers.
“Schools and educators can be an antidote to this poison as it is they who can help fight extremism by highlighting the values of equality, tolerance, freedom of expression, community and solidarity among children and young people.
“The NASUWT will continue to challenge prejudice, injustice and racism wherever we find it, but we need every member of every union and civil society organisation to be involved.”
Speaking to the motion NASUWT Senior Vice President Kathy Wallis said:
“We are progressive trades unionists committed to education, human rights and service to our communities, with a proud history at home and abroad of fighting the forces of extremism.
“But there are many outside forces seeking to undo the progress we have made, to deprive people of their rights and to impose false and destructive ideologies onto others.
“While we must be unstinting in the face of extremism we must also stand firm against those governments whose response is to place greater restrictions on our human rights, not least freedom of association, of speech and of thought, conscience and religion.”
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