Idle Thoughts on the NUT (National Union of Teachers)

Maybe I do have a masochistic streak (see previous post), as I have just spent some looking at the NUT (National Union of Teachers). Now most Unions whether I like it or not, do have to a greater, or lesser degree a political activist element, but since the 1970's I have often wondered if the NUT strays too far in politics and indeed too far into having agendas approved at conference that are against the Wishes of Parents, who after all want there children to be educated, not politicised.

I have come to some conclusions, which I accept may be unfair, or just plain wrong, so why not send me a comment.

• The NUT has single handedly managed to reduce the Public's Respect for Teachers to just above Estate Agents.
• The Speeches and Policies made at NUT Conferences have greatly influenced many Parents to make sacrifices to move their children from state to Private Education, or if this is just not possible to faith Schools.
  
• The NUT has too many members who's political agenda is at variance with there professional duties.
• The NUT's antipathy towards Faith Schools, which in general 'punch far above their weight' in terms of providing children with a good education, is fuelled by the fact that these schools employ only competent staff, rather than some anti-religious stance. Especially as at last conference time was spent on faith teaching in schools
  
• NUT spends more time whinging about what should be and spends far too little ensuring Pupils get the education required.
• Class sizes. I was taught in what the NUT would consider far too large classes (40+ down to mid 30s). There were NO teaching Assistants and each Teacher had different ways of maintaining interest, discipline and spotting those who were struggling and those who were rushing ahead. Now I accept that Social Changes have made Teachers lives more difficult, but good Teachers should still be able to run a 30+ class. I think the image projected by the NUT has frightened away many who would have been good teachers!
• The NUT has NO interest in Teaching Standards, only in keeping its members employed, regardless of ability, suitability, or ethics
  

Having lit the touch paper, I shall stand well back:

Thank You Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi

In my last post I was extremely critical of the lack of proactive action by British Muslims in ensuring the idiotic behaviour of their coreligionists in the Sudan in even bringing to trial a British Primary School Teacher who was in the Sudan to help, not as part of some Western Crusader Plot (What drugs are these people taking), let alone jailing her, was resolved.

Fortunately Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi, did the correct and honourable thing and flew out to talk to the one Man who could overrule the ignorant clerics and the incompetent judiciary.

I am sure they had to exercise considerable, tact and diplomacy, but thanks to their efforts Gillian Gibbons is now free and back in the UK - So thank you my Lady and my Lord..

Whilst in the Lords, Baroness Warsi sits on the Conservative benches and Lord Ahmed on the Labour side of their Lordships House, they joined together in a common cause and retrieved what had already become a serious situation and was in danger of escalating.

These two Muslim Peers have done much to restore some faith that there are those, at least in the 'Muslim Establishment', who are true to both their faith and their country.

Unfortunately I believe there are far too many who hide behind Islam, but have nothing but loathing for this Country whether of their Birth,or because they obtained Citizenship.

The Muslim communities need to follow these Peers example and to take the correct and honourable course of action and assist the authorities in rooting out these corrupt Islamists and expose them for what they are, a cancer in our society that needs to be rooted out.

A Teddy Bear Called Muhammad

A teacher asked her class to pick a name for their class Mascot a 'Teddy Bear' Now to children of a certain age a Teddy Bear is a 'friend' and therefore it was logical that they should pick a very popular name, in this case a boys name (all Teddy Bears seem to be considered male).
As this is the Sudan it was almost inevitable that the choice would be Muhammad. A perfectly reasonable name for a friend.
The Teacher who feels that parents should be 'kept in the loop' wrote a letter including this news. None of the parents were outraged, or even concerned, after all they understood. But it appears a fellow staff member was deeply affronted that a children's toy should be named after the Muslim Prophet and alerted the authorities.

Now instead of giving this stupid person a dressing down for wasting their time, they arrested the teacher and made her stand trial.

The case of course should have been thrown out, instead the poor woman was convicted and some consider her lucky to have only received an additional 10 days in Jail to be added to the 5 she has already spent in prison awaiting trial.

Welcome to the insane world of the Sudanese Religious Politics
The British Council of Muslims has condemned the Sudanese Government (about time they did something worthwhile), Muslim Writers and even proponents of Shia Law (which I personally find a distasteful legal framework) have done the same.
But I don't see British Muslims protesting outside the Sudanese Embassy.
Why not!.

Muslims in Britain often feel they are misunderstood and marginalised. Well if their coreligionist's insist on acting as if they living in the 12th century and certain Middle Eastern Countries refuse to allow Christians to wear symbols of their faith, certain Mosques preach hatred against Christian and Jews and anti-Christian and Jewish cartoons are regular feature in certain papers. What do they expect.
So this incident is the 'final straw that broke the camels back'.
I have spent my entire adult life believing in religious tolerance, but i am now so fed up with Muslim Intolerance, I now see that pure ideals of the Koran have been corrupted by too many groups and countries for their own agendas so that I now view Islam as something to be treated with suspicion and distrust . A sad conclusion, but one that has been coming for a long time.