@wandeljw,
Trish wrote-
Quote:In turn, a "chill" against discussing controversial issues might set in among teachers, opposition parties alleged.
And why not? To what extent are these teachers qualified to discuss controversial issues. The vast bulk of them will be living with controversial issues and they are bound to bring their subjective and emotional bias towards presenting them to their innocent little charges.
Teachers here, particularly those in the ordinary run-of-the-mill schools, are known to be avid readers of such like newspapers as the Grauniad and The Independent (Independent my arse!!) and we all know what that means I hope. Otherwise you don't know what you are talking about.
I heard of one such teacher here who demonstrated sexual intercourse to a class of 10 year olds with a milk bottle and a small unpeeled banana she had brought for lunch. No mention of the sweet and arful gallantries, the purchase of delights, the candlelit dinners, the boat rowing, taking 6 for 31 to win the cricket match, the demure, blushing surrender and the chattering like a lemur monkey which I have been assured feels nothing like a small unpeeled banana intromitting rhythmically in a milk bottle.
Maybe it is as she demonstrated for herself and those who approve of her lesson plan.
Parents were warned and some did withdraw the little monsters who had sprung from their loins. There was no national debate.
I think too many people find talking about teaching much easier than teaching.