THE deputy head of a Scottish school has spoken out about “idiots” slating teachers online as the profession grapples with the pandemic.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the senior educator hit out at the “bampottery” of the “horrific” groups likening life for families under Covid restrictions to the Holocaust and causing “considerable stress to a lot of colleagues across the whole country”.
Images circulated by critics of school closures include that of a Star of David badge similar to that used to denote Jews in Nazi Germany and bearing the word “vaccinated” and a microchip.
In contrast, the words of celebrated anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass have also been used by Facebook users who seek a return to school-as-normal as they attempt to ally themselves with victims of persecution while sharing what the experienced teacher called “abusive messages” about those delivering remote learning.
READ MORE: Teaching union calls for firm rules on safeguarding over Scottish online classes
“It’s soul-destroying,” the teacher said.
“I don’t know a single teacher personally or through other mediums that I have talked to that would rather be doing what we are doing than be in a class with children.
“What we are doing is 100 times more challenging than it would ever be in class.
“I also don’t know a teacher who isn’t stepping up and doing their best for the children.
“Posts seeking to name and shame teachers or share their materials are causing considerable stress.”
The EIS teaching union has said evidence suggests “the vast majority of students are engaging positively via remote learning with appropriate support from teachers, parents and carers”.
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But it’s understood that some professionals are struggling with anxiety as their work comes under sustained criticism on forums like that run by Us for Them Scotland, which has appeared on all of Scotland’s major TV and radio channels to share its anti-mask messaging.
In Scotland, it engaged Adam Morris, the former head of PR for the Scottish Tories, to help spread its word. It’s understood that a company run by a former Tory candidate provides communications support.
While Us for Them – which has won the backing of former first minister Lord Jack McConnell – has become the loudest such voice in Scotland, other formal and informal groups also exist and it’s claimed that their output is affecting some teachers at primary and secondary level.
“It’s the constant negativity, the teacher-bashing, the messages they push and push,” the Sunday National’s source said.
“It’s really disturbing – the images of the Star of David, it’s incredible.
“They are also pushing out the idea we are doing bugger all. These are anxious times for colleagues. Teachers are getting a really hard time.
“Teachers have really upped their game as we’ve returned to remote learning. Last time things didn’t go as well as they could have, this time around there are a lot of changes.
“It’s not perfect, it’ll never be perfect, but we are doing all we can for these children. We have to focus on a recovery curriculum – numeracy, literacy and wellbeing.
“That’s the focus we have to have and parents have to get behind us to help their kids.”
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