School leaders have welcomed proposals for the creation of a “cohesion and conflict unit” to support teachers facing threats and harassment, following a government-commissioned review into threats to social cohesion in England.
The review highlighted the case of a religious studies teacher at Batley grammar school in West Yorkshire who was forced into hiding after accusations of blasphemy. The teacher faced an online and offline campaign of intimidation and abuse, leading to feelings of suicidal ideation and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Although the teacher was eventually cleared of deliberate offence, the review criticized the handling of the case, suggesting that appeasing protesters took precedence over supporting the teacher.
Dame Sara Khan, the government’s independent adviser for social cohesion and resilience, conducted the review and recommended the establishment of a cohesion and conflict unit to provide support, guidance, training materials, and resources for affected teachers. The review also called for legislation to enforce buffer zones around schools to prevent protests immediately outside school gates.
Education leaders have expressed support for the proposed unit, with the National Education Union’s general secretary, Daniel Kebede, emphasizing the importance of peaceful demonstrations and the need for additional support for teachers facing harassment.
The review also identified higher education as a target for “freedom-restricting harassment,” prompting the government to appoint a university free speech tsar to protect academic freedom. New legislation will impose a duty on English universities to promote free speech or face sanctions.
Concerns have been raised about universities’ reliance on fees from international students, with some prestigious institutions receiving the majority of their fee income from abroad. The Office for Students has warned that universities could face consequences if they compromise on free speech to maintain financial stability.
Overall, the proposed cohesion and conflict unit aims to provide essential support for teachers facing threats and harassment, while also addressing concerns about academic freedom in higher education institutions.