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Row as teachers call for ban on army 'pro-war propaganda' recruitment leaflets in schools

Last updated at 15:07pm on 14.03.08

Military recruitment in schools should be banned as it exposes pupils to pro-war propaganda, teachers say.

Left-wingers in the National Union of Teachers are attempting to galvanise a campaign to stop recruitment visits.

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Despite acute shortages of military manpower, the teachers will present a motion to the union's annual conference this month urging members to "actively oppose" recruitment activities in schools.

The move, described as "deeply unpatriotic", will fuel growing concern over hostility displayed by parts of society towards the Armed Forces.

The motion, scheduled for debate at the NUT conference in Manchester, condemns "the exploitation of schoolsfor recruitment by the Armed Forces".

It says: "Military intervention in schools customarily presents a partisan view of war, largely by ignoring its fatal realities in favour of promises of travel, skill training and further or higher education course sponsorships otherwise often unavailable to young people, especially in areas of high unemployment.

"Conference believes that teachers and schools should not be conduits for either the dissemination of MoD propaganda or the recruitment of military personnel.

"Conference therefore agrees to actively oppose military recruitment activities in schools."

The Ministry of Defence has scaled back active recruitment in schools. But the three services still have teams which respond to invitations to visit schools, giving countless presentations.

Tory MP Patrick Mercer, formerly a colonel in charge of Army recruitment, said: "The union's attitude leaves me breathless. It is deeply unpatriotic, and runs directly contrary to the commitment and bravery our servicemen and women are showing in service of their country.

"Recruitment and retention have never been as difficult as they are now, and visiting schools to make young people aware of opportunities in the military is a key part of recruitment strategy."

The union's leadership has already made clear it intends to get the section of the motion referring to visits removed. It said it opposed the attempt to stop recruitment activities and has put forward an amendment that would see it removed.

However, the leadership is backing a second aspect of the motion, attacking the use of teaching materials produced by the MoD, and intended to increase awareness of Armed Forces activity, as "propaganda".

NUT general secretary Steve Sinnott wrote to Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, to complain about a lesson plan for English intended to help pupils learn the skill of "writing to argue".

The plan focuses on "the ongoing occupation of Iraq by British Armed Forces". Mr Sinnott said: "I think it is propaganda. It does not present a balanced position."

But the MoD said use of the resources was voluntary. "We have consulted widely with teachers and students during the development of these products and feedback from schools has been extremely encouraging."

Critics of the motion said it was obvious that Armed Forces recruitment material would avoid drawing undue attention to the risk of loss of life attached to a forces role.

Reader views (6)

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For your information, teachers aren't left wingers or stupid, and if we are so capable of making our own decisions,
why does the army come in anyway? If the armed forces is such a fantastic career, why do you leave out the part where if your ordered to do something (even if its terrible and a crime against humanity)

You have to do it? Yes, you show all the fun parts of the army, but why do you slip around the part where there are mutilated dead bodies of Iraqis lying on the streets of Bagdhad, and why do you leave out the parts where you are behind a heavily armed fortress by the name of the 'Green Zone'

I am a student at a secondary school, and this is the first time I have ever really had much respect for the teachers, so if you all think you as adults can comments on how some of us students feel, don't because you can't.

I am against army day and I came to that decision all by myself, I thought maybe even my school would be annoyed by it.

- Amy, UK, 28/03/2008 09:59
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Apart from Neil's absurd view I agree with everything else said here. As an ex-serving member of the Armed Forces I could wax lyrical about the lessons in life that I learn't during my 12 years service. Joining the Forces is not just about having to go to war(although you have to be prepared for that eventuality). I believe that it has made me a more well rounded person giving me many qualities like self motivation, discipline, courage, and honesty.
I have competed in sports all over the world and met some great people along the way, many of whom I still keep in touch with. None of this would have been possible had I not joined and I use all of these experiences now in my career as a Police Officer.
I have seen the youths that schools turn out, on a daily basis. Some of them aspire to do nothing with there lives and will never develop as a well rounded human being. It saddens me that our schools are being taken over by lefties and liberals and I will continue to encourage those youths I meet to look at the Armed Forces as as a career choice.
Can I also say that not all Teachers share this view. My wife who is also ex-forces and now a Teacher will always continue to promote the Armed Forces to her pupils, whatever her union might say!

- Andy, Durham, 27/03/2008 17:14
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What rubbish. There's nothing glamorous about death and bloodshed, and the only thing this country needs defending from is the lying politicians and "security" services who create war. Paul in Bromley should find out who's really behind the global drugs trade before assuming that the army are somehow protecting us from it. If no one joined the army we'd have no more war.

- Neil, London, UK, 14/03/2008 12:31
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What it amounts to is professional jealousy: The Armed Forces often take in people who were utterly neglected and spat out as useless by the educational establishment and then teach them a trade, give them friends, a sense of purpose, a sense of worth, the ability to organise themselves and some money in their pocket. Oh, and a chance to see the world and have a bigger view on life: that's what the left-wing Dangerous Intellectuals really don't want.

- Roz, Chamonix, France, 14/03/2008 12:30
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And I guess we can count on these teachers to take to the ramparts the next time the country needs defending. Our kids are being brainwashed on a daily basis by these extremists.

- R M, London, UK, 14/03/2008 11:26
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The British Services stood against the fascists and stand against all evil. They fight terrorists, keep the peace, ensure the safe delivery of food and medical supplies to the worlds worst trouble spots on the globe. Encourage people from all walks of life to excel in themselves. raise millions for charity. Thwart major drug dealing.

Frankly, I find it disturbing that the very teachers themselves haven't the confidence in their own students to let them make up their own minds and make their own choices.

Who's pedalling the real propaganda in our schools?

- Paul, Bromley, 14/03/2008 00:40
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