LONDON: A college instructor was suspended on Friday after reportedly exhibiting an “inappropriate” cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed at a college within the Midlands area of England.
The picture was utilized in a lesson at Batley Grammar College in West Yorkshire earlier this week and triggered protests outdoors the college.
The instructor in query has since been suspended pending an investigation, with Head Instructor Gary Kibble apologising “unequivocally”.
“It’s by no means acceptable to threaten or intimidate academics. We encourage dialogue between dad and mom and faculties when points emerge.
“Nonetheless, the character of protest we now have seen, together with issuing threats and in violation of coronavirus restrictions are fully unacceptable and have to be dropped at an finish,” a Division for Schooling (DfE) spokesperson stated.
“Faculties are free to incorporate a full vary of points, concepts and supplies of their curriculum, together with the place they’re difficult or controversial, topic to their obligations to make sure political stability.
“They have to stability this with the necessity to promote respect and tolerance between folks of various faiths and beliefs, together with in deciding which supplies to make use of within the classroom,” the spokesperson stated.
The division’s officers stated they continue to be in touch with the college and native authority after video footage throughout social media confirmed folks chanting as they crowded across the faculty gate, which was flanked by law enforcement officials.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed they have been known as to observe the demonstrations this week however no arrests have been made underneath the Coronavirus Act, which suggests any gatherings and protests presently stay banned.
The caricature, believed to be one revealed by French journal ‘Charlie Hebdo’, was proven to pupils in a non secular research lesson on Monday.
“The varsity unequivocally apologises for utilizing a completely inappropriate picture in a current non secular research lesson. It shouldn’t have been used,” Head Instructor Gary Kibble stated in a press release earlier.
“A member of workers has additionally relayed their most honest apologies,” he stated.
The native member of Parliament, Opposition Labour’s Tracy Brabin, stated the “upset and offence prompted” was “comprehensible and predictable”.
“I hope the college and anxious dad and mom can now transfer ahead constructively and deal with their kids’s schooling and overcoming the challenges introduced by the pandemic,” she stated.
Native British Muslim teams have additionally known as on the group to keep up the peace.
