Campaign group brands council "ignorant" over homework furore
Pro-Palestine campaigners have slammed a North Lanarkshire school for labelling Palestinians “terrorists” in a homework exercise.
The P7 handout to pupils at New Stevenson Primary School used the quote "Palestinians feel they have the RIGHT to use terrorism against the Israelis."
North Lanarkshire Council has since apologised but a Palestinian group said the council’s “ignorance beggared belief”.
Dr Essam Hijjawi, chair of the Association of Palestinian Communities in Scotland, said: "The "Separatists" case study given to children as homework demonstrates a fundamentally flawed reading of history and geography. It flies in the face of countless UN resolutions and shows an ignorance which beggars belief.
"We are calling for the immediate withdrawal of all such materials from Scottish schools, a public apology to the Palestinian community in Scotland, and a meeting with education department officials in North Lanarkshire, with the leader of the council and Scotland's minister for education.
"We ask that all materials used in schools relating to the teaching of the history of Palestine is discussed between Education Scotland and the Palestinian community."
Controversy over the incident first emerged from a posting on Facebook from Aliyah Shafiq of Motherwell whose younger sister was given the handout.
She wrote: "How is my little sister being made to answer questions like this for her homework??? This is completely unacceptable and 100% has to be complained about to North Lanarkshire Council."
However she added: “Guys, can I just make it clear that although the homework was given to New Stevenston Primary P7 pupils, the actual sheet is from the council and NOT the school or any teacher directly."
The image of the handout has now been shared over 1,000 times.
A meeting has since taken place between the head teacher and assistant head and parents assured that the matter will be taken up to North Lanarkshire Council.
A spokesman for the authority's learning and leisure services said: “The homework material used was taken from a teaching pack which is now obsolete. We are contacting all schools to ensure this particular material is no longer used.
“The description of Palestinian people is entirely inappropriate and apologise unreservedly for the offence caused.
“The topic is explored by pupils as part of the social studies programme: "People, past events and societies" and this includes conflict situations around the world.
“This topic aims to gives pupils a greater understanding of the nature of different conflicts and their regional, global and historical significance and does not pass any judgement on the subject.”
