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From The Times

March 26, 2008

Teachers condemn MoD recruitment drives

Alexandra Frean, Education Editor

Children should be given a truthful account of the brutality of war, not a “marketised fiction”, teachers said yesterday, as they voted to oppose military recruitment campaigns in schools based on government “propaganda”.

Members of the National Union of Teachers accused the Ministry of Defence of focusing on vulnerable teenagers from deprived backgrounds through “misleading” information that glamorised war.

The MoD replied that it was invited into 1,000 schools a year, and that this was to raise awareness of the role of the Armed Forces, not to recruit.

Delegates at the NUT annual conference were told that material about the military distributed in schools did not always allow informed choices. They called for peace campaigners or those who had experienced the horror of war to be invited into schools alongside military representatives.

Paul McGarr, a delegate from East London, said that the union did not want to undermine servicemen and women but that the Forces were turning to schools to fill a recruitment shortage.

Mr McGarr said: “Let’s just try and imagine what recruitment material would have to say were it not to be misleading. We would have material saying, ‘Join the Army and we will send you to carry out the imperialist occupation of other people’s countries. Join the Army and we will send you to bomb, shoot and possibly torture fellow human beings.

“Join the Army and we will send you probably poorly equipped into situations where people will try to shoot or kill you because you are occupying other people’s countries. Join the Army, and if you come home, possibly injured or mentally damaged, you and your family will be shabbily treated.”

David Clinch, a teacher from Devon who joined the Royal Navy in 1967 on leaving school, where he had been a cadet, said that military cadet forces should be barred from schools because they were used for recruitment.

Martin Reed, of the NUT executive, said that teachers were by law required to treat political issues in a balanced way and to avoid partisan views. “It should be absolutely clear that the reality of war is demonstrated, not the marketised fiction of war,” he said.

Steve Sinnott, the union’s general secretary, has already written to Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, to complain about a lesson plan produced for the MoD by an organisation called Kids Connections that, Mr Sinnott said, focused on “the ongoing occupation of Iraq by British Armed Forces”. A worksheet emphasised the Forces’ reconstruction work but, Mr Sinnott alleged, did not mention civilian casualties.

This year a Joseph Rowntree Trust report suggested that the Army was seeking to attract recruits by glamorising warfare and underplaying the risks involved in a military career.

Yesterday delegates at the union’s conference in Manchester voted in favour of a motion opposing military recruitment activities “based upon misleading propaganda”. The motion defended the rights of teachers “not to take part in activities promoting military recruitment, or which they feel present a partisan view of war and life in the military”. It said that young people should be able to “hear a speaker promoting alternative points of view” and to have “education for peace embedded in the curriculum along with education about the military”.

Mr Sinnott said he would convene a meeting of all parties involved, with a view to drawing up a protocol on recruitment. “I see nothing wrong in explaining to youngsters what life is like in the military, but you have to tell them the whole truth,” he said.

A spokesman for the MoD said that its recruitment practices avoided glamorising war and propaganda, adding that the Armed Forces did not recruit in schools and did not seek to attract youngsters aged under 16.

The Defence Dynamics initiative was not a recruitment activity, he said. The school material criticised by the NUT was part of a proposed English course on creative writing that included two articles, one positive about the Iraq conflict and the other critical.

“A career in the Armed Forces is not something to be ashamed of and we are proud to raise awareness of the tremendous work that our Service personnel do,” he said.

I made a point when teaching War and Peace as part of a GCSE RE course, to invite a serving Naval Officer in to talk to my students on more than one occasion. It was enlightening for them and me. He didn't push a line about recruitment, that wasn't his remit; but answered their questions thoughtfully and honestly, as far as he was able without breaching any security at all. He talked amongst other things about moral responsibility and what his job at times had entailed.

One of my students who didn't attend these particular classes, had no idea what to do after he left school. He was on track for a life of not doing very much, as he wasn't very academic, and was set to flunk his GCSEs. He applied to join the RN, and was accepted. He pulled his finger out, and passed his exams, and came back to school to see me. What a change! He had a palpable sense of pride in his job and in himself, and loved the opportunities that joining the Forces had given him.

The NUT needs to grow up.

RLS, Brussels, Belgium

Surely parents sending their children to school to be 'educated' about the army is a moral issue. War is something many people object to and in the event of our country going to war as in the second world war, many people would refuse to be sent off to fight on moral grounds (as concientious objectors). I would think it only right then that parents should be able to object to their children attending such lessons. If a school tried to let the army into a school where I sent my child. I would consider withdrawing my child completely and home educate. Children in schools are young, vulnerable and highly impressionable, they are in their formative years, and as such I believe we have a duty to care for and protect them. In particular protect them from being taken in by glossy propaganda and sent to the horrors of the battle field. If they want to find out about the army as adults, when they are able to make more informed choices, and possibly join then I believe that is OK.

Kate, Leeds, UK

My son joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a Midshipman when he was 16 following a visit to a Royal Navy open day in a local sea port. He is now a serving officer in the submarine service.

He was not recruited at school. Nor were any of his fellow officers, nor any of the other ranks in his command.

Before he was commissioned into the Royal Navy he underwent a gruelling selection process, which included seeing exactly what happened to military personnel when the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram were bombed in Bluff Cove.

The failure rate of the selection and training procedures he went through ran at around 90% of potential officers under training leaving the service.

As a teacher myself, and soon to be ex member of the NUT I am ashamed that my union would join the ill informed, facile clamour against our Services when I know for myself the difficult and dangerous work they do, unstintingly and selflessly for their country.

Phil, Barrowin Furness, Cumbria

Thankfully, Service Personnel don't spend there time reading back issues of ' Socialist Worker' but l guess that's a different type of ' Propaganda' is it?

Matt, Braintree, U.K

Perhaps the NUT can advise me on what to say to a class of children 30% of whom have parents in the armed forces. This is the case at the primary school where I am a teaching assistant. Should I tell them that mummy and daddy are murderers and torturers and they are not allowed to come to the school in case they upset the other children.
I am glad to see that the marxist diatribe from NUT members is still alive and well and reminding us to keep vigilant against the left wing nonsense being spouted. I left the Labour party 30 years ago because of the Socialist worker influence and this just serves to remind me that I made the right choice

Bill, Colchester,

The armed forces are a part of society just as much as any other and they have the right to recruit just like any other part of society. There will always be young people who are suited to a military life and they shouldn't be denied the opportunity.
The NUT are picking on the symptoms not the disease. It's the politicians who start wars. The armed forces just do their best to fight them honourably.
No wonder teachers are considered the bottom of the pile by just about everybody. Trust this lot with my kids? No way.

Bob Reeve, Brighton,

So, the NUT thinks that the best antidote to government "propaganda" is a visit by members of the "peace" brigades. How so? Chances are that none of these gentle folk have ever served in uniform, let alone in a combat zone. What makes them uniquely qualified to educate Britain's young on the horrors of war, other than to deem the latter socially unacceptable? Would it not be better to trot out retired service members who can speak of their own experiences in the field, as well as the more mundane ups and downs of a military career?
If the NUT were to have its way on military recruiting drives, let it also invite retired teaches, healthcare workers, policemen, HM prison guards, and former representatives of any other profession to give frank appraisals of their careers. I daresay the stories of problem children, irrate parents, psychotic criminals, governmental red tape, impenetrable bureaucracy, waste and corruption will make for an eye-opening career day for school leavers.

Dave R., Ottawa, Canada

Whether governments decision to enter the war in Iraq was warranted, or that the armed forces recruit in schools should not be up for discussion by teachers, they are their to do a job, namely educate our children, they are not in schools to impose their ideals or views of morality upon our children.
If Mr McGarr dosen't like the 'imperialistic' views of the government, then maybe he should resign as an employee of the state, as should all the other teachers who voted for this motion!

Leslie Corrin, Southport, England

Why on earth should someone who has caused chaos in one school be allowed to move to another one to do the same. Bring back old fashioned "approved schools". Or will that affect their human rights. What about the rights of those who want to learn.

KW, Bognor Regis, England

I'm almost disappointed that I don't belong to the NUT as this deprives me of the opportunity to resign in disgust at the river of drivel that seems to be emanating from this conference.
First they propose that our schools should be required to take instruction from various different religious groups and now this move to ban Britain's armed forces from giving careers talks.
I have attended Royal Navy careers talks which neither glorified nor ignored the prospect of combat. Those students who were interested had the opportunity to ask questions on whatever aspect of the military piqued their interest and were answered fairly and honestly.
Without wishing to sound like an archetypal man of the fifties, many students would certainly benefit from the opportunities, training and basic discipline that the armed forces would provide. Do the NUT think that they are unable to make decisions for themselves?
Shame on the NUT for attempting to jump on the bandwagon of political correctness...

Rob Johnson, Leicester,

As a serving member of Her Majestys' Armed Forces it sickens me to the very core that the NUT should ban military personnel from schools. Do these utter hypocrits not realise that the very fabric of a free and democratic society, which allows them the freedom of speech to spout this utter drivel, is protected and maintained by not only the Armed Forces but the Police as well. It seems to me that the NUT are disgruntled at the actions of the GOVERNMENT. So why on God's green earth direct that towards the selfless, committed, loyal men and women of the Forces. The comments of the NUT should be treated with the utter contempt they deserve. If the Government truly wish to show open support for the Forces then surely the Education Minister should declare an unlawful ruling based on positive discrimination against the Armed Forces? Oh hang on, that would require a modecum of spinal rigidity on the part of a PC crazy labour Party.

Paul, Dundee, Scotland

I believe the age old adage of those who can do, those who can't teach! is appropriate here. i would have loved to have joined the army when yonger and thoroughly enjoyed the cadet forces which allowed me to go flying, gliding, shooting, outward bound exercises etc. unfortunately for me becoming a diabetic rather frustrated that option. the lack of nationalistic pride is symptomatic of the nanny state we have now become, bring back conscription so the gangs can actually shoot who they are aiming at instead of innocent people! of course make sure that they conform to health and safety legislation! Really this is pathetic, should we not have a new national anthem, god save the nanny!

James Nunn, Watford, Hertfordshire

So is it Ok for Terroist to recuiting in School? isn't that one of the 7/7 Bomber was a mentor in a state school?

Why don't they go back to do thier job poperly first, before playing politics. When I was serving oversea last year, I have young soldiers in my platoon who had finished their GCSE before they enlist and still functionally illiterate. Quite a few of them can't even pass the Annual Basic Literary & Numeracy Skill Test (which even the Infantry have to take these day).

The Army didn't target kid from the deprived background, where do they think most of the officers & TA soldiers come from? It just happen to offer kid from deprived a way out of a life of crime, drug & benefit-dependancy . It is Britain not US, people get pay more to stay on dope or work Tesco then in the Army!!

Wilson , London, UK

I live near Stockwell and given the number of youngsters killed in the area recently I would say that allowing the kids to have "bad guys" to at shoot rather than other kids or worse shooting at me and other innocents has to be applauded.

I agree that you make the advertising real and show the nitty gritty then let them join up and ship them out.

David, London,

Reading about and looking at some of the kids that schools spew out nowadays, can the Army really do any worse? At least they might teach them to read!

On a more serious note, it seems to me that the army would give many kids the stability and security that many don't get in socially deprived areas, instilling pride and a work ethic that could well be lacking at home. What's wrong with that?

Spike, High Wycombe, UK

If you are reading this, then thank a Teacher. If you are reading this in English, then thank a member of the armed forces. And never forget it.

The other thing never to forget, is that the wowld's most anti-war people are the armed forces, and that they do what the Government tells them.

Perhaps it is time to ban Government Propaganda and Lies from our schools.

Peter Vile, Exeter, UK

The NUT members are quite right and deserve our support. I hope that members of the four other unions, ATL, NASUWT, NAHT and SHA follow suit to end this outrageous practice.

Bob Christie, Burntisland, Scotland

For many of us the opportunity to join the Armed Forces opened career chances which stood me in good stead throughout my life. I joined at the bottom of the rung and worked up to Chief Petty Officer and then on the R.N.R. list I achieved a commision rank of Lieutenant and what is more I saw a lot of the world and did something useful as a Clearance Diver both in Home Waters and European etc. clearing up after WW11, I joined in !949 and never really left the service and still see old mates at the annual meeting in Pompey.
OldWavertonian.

Gerald Morris. , Waverton., England.

Mr McGarr has a point of view and we would do well to remember that in a democracy such as ours, defended in part by present and past members of the armed forces at some cost to themselves, he has the right to express it.
It also seems that his attack was on the government's need to recruit school-leavers for a war/wars which he feels are unjustified and imperialistic. All well and good.
The reason recruiting (and, importantly retention) is poor at this time is because these operations are unpopular with the general population, and the increasing frequency of deployments, unpopular with an over-extended military.
If Mr McGarr is at fault, it is to believe that British youngsters (and potential recruits) are too poorly educated to understand these issues. Well are they Mr McGarr?

Mac, Birmingham,

Marxist claptrap.
Mediocrity and homogeneity is their apogee of aspiration and now they want the kids to mirror that.
Armstrong & Miller's recent series of "teacher" sketch says it all about these institutionalised inexperienced life failures.

Thank God I got through school before it became infested with these people.

Tom Taylor-Duxbury, Ludlow, UK

We let these people teach our children! The military offers exactly the sort of education many fail to get in school. Pride in your self, discipline, team work and respect for others (ignore the idiots who carried out the poor treatment of Iraqis). They also look after people better than any other employer, providing housing (not always perfect but better than many would get otherwise), food if wanted and even help sort out monetary problems for those in debt.

Risk free? No of course not but a worthwhile career? Yes.

Finally do you think the advertising for teacher training is a true refelction of what they have to deal with in the class room?

Mac, London, UK

Is Anti-War protesting an actual occupation? If it is could somebody please tell me the hours, conditions and starting salary? Those members of NUT are NUTS!

Jase, Ipswich,

I thought this government wanted to support our service personnel. By banning military careers information in our schools what message is this giving to our children?
A career in the military can be and is for very many, rewarding and worthwhile.
All possible careers should be represented in schools, with honesty. Young people today are not stupid they understand that if they join the forces, they may get killed or injured in war zones. They read newspapers, watch the news and see on the televsion the new advertisng showing our very brave service personnel under fire.. We must support our services and show pride in them. This must not be made a political statement.

Viviane Spicer, Marlow, UK

It must be obvious from every other NUT Conference that the NUT does not represent the vast majority of teachers' views and opinions. The NUT negotiating body represents teachers in salary and condition negotoiations, and the Union has many commendable policies and advice on Education. But the Conferences are simply days out and forums for the extremist political voices of the Union. Very few teachers take any notice of the hot air that emanates from the Conference, which provides the media with some jolly good stories!

Terry, Bath, UK

I dont understand what all the fuss is about. With growing numbers of "ferrile youths" and a generation of unqualified, unskilled teens unwilling to find work, a bit of national service would do them the world of good. And i'm very sorry but those who sign up to join the "ARMED forces" not realising it involves many of the awful aspects we hear about war in the news are ignorant rather than mislead or oblivious. After all what is wrong with a good honest career where you get to serve your country, learn life-long skills and take pride in what you do?
By the way, we had such visits in our school when i was 12 and again at GCSE age, and as interesting and informative as they were I immediately thought "not for me thank you" and I am from what you would class as a low income/prosperity background.

Debbie, Washington, Tyne & Wear