Labor to tackle antisemitism and to improve Holocaust education in NSW schools
If Labor wins next week’s NSW Government election, it will instigate new measures to tackle the concerning rise in religious bullying across NSW schools, including a proposed landmark partnership agreement with faith communities.
A Minns government will tackle the issue of Holocaust education in all NSW schools.
NSWJBD president David Ossip, Prue Car, Chris Minns and NSWJBD CEO Darren Bark.
Amid growing reports of antisemitic and other faith-based bullying in public and private high schools, Labor will also establish a dedicated reporting portal available to students and parents in all NSW schools to report incidents of religious bullying.
Shadow Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning has said the new government will establish a Premier’s Prevention Panel on Racism and Extremism with senior representatives of NSW agencies working with CALD and faith leaders to identify issues and to develop whole-of-government responses. Government agencies represented on the Panel will include the NSW Police Force, Multicultural NSW, NSW Health, Department of Education, Communities and Justice, Local Government and Family and Community Services.
Labor will also introduce a helpline within the Department of Education for students and teaching staff who experience religious bullying to ensure they receive appropriate support and resources and additional training for principals and teachers to equip them better to address and resolve religious bullying in the classroom.
An elected Minns Labor Government is committed to a range of additional measures to address religious bullying in schools, including:
- Working to expand accredited professional development opportunities to equip teachers and school staff to support student wellbeing when managing religious discrimination incidents;
- Consultation through the NSW Curriculum Reform process and development of best-practice curriculum resources for teaching about the Holocaust in all NSW schools;
Labor would work in partnership with religious communities to address these incidents in all primary and high schools across NSW, as well as tackle the attitudes that can lead to religious bullying.
Prue Car said: “It is heartbreaking to see incidents of antisemitism and other faith-based bullying taking place in our schools. Sadly, this is becoming all too common.”
“No one should be subjected to hate based on their background or religious beliefs, and if elected, Labor will move quickly to ensure this scourge is stamped out.”
“I thank the faith communities for their leadership in calling out discrimination in all its forms. I look forward to continuing to work with them, community groups and schools to put an end to these appalling behaviours.”
President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies David Ossip added: “No matter what the school, public or private, it should be easier to stand up, say something and report the bullying than it is to commit the act. This is not currently the case.
We firmly welcome Labor’s proposed partnership with faith communities to tackle religious bullying and introduce a digital reporting system for students and their families. This is a much-needed resource in our state.
For too long, families have held back on reporting inappropriate behaviour for fear of reprisals from bullies or being labelled as troublemakers by school leadership. This reporting portal will ensure anonymous reports can be received and the incidents dealt with by schools immediately.”
Sure! is that on the same level as Penny Wongs PRE-Election promises.. and just a week after getting into office she increased the donations to UNWRA terror by 10 million $ and cancelled Jerusalem Israels capital..?