The Reform UK leader Accuses Teachers of ‘Poisoning Our Kids’ on Race Issues
Nigel Farage has asserted that teachers would go on strike within weeks a success at the polls for his party, accusing them of “poisoning our kids” by instructing students that African-Caribbean youth are oppressed and Caucasian students are perpetrators.
At a gathering for a private US Christian college, Farage outlined his perspective on the UK education system, claiming that the “Marxist left” had “now in control of our education system”.
“I expect a teachers’ strike very quickly after securing a victory,” he remarked during a Q&A session.
“They are poisoning our kids. They are telling them to feel guilt about their nation. They inform little Johnny, who’s eight, who is black that he is a victim and little Oliver, who is white, who is eight that he is a perpetrator. They create division, not uniting us. They are feeding this harmful mindset.”
Reacting to these assertions, the head of a major education union rejected the idea that the education system was controlled by Marxists as “absurd”. Kebede noted that any strikes must relate to teachers’ terms and conditions, and doubted whether the party would target these immediately upon entering government.
“The politician has crafted his political career on dog-whistle politics and now, like Trump, he is lining up teachers and their organizations for a conflict,” the union leader said.
“I think that’s grossly irresponsible. I don’t – and nor does my union – advocate such divisive theories as he claims … Should he become prime minister he would undermine state services, including education … and the outcome would be catastrophic for students and learning.”
Reform, which tops surveys by about 10 points, has provided limited specifics on its educational plans and seems not to have designated an education lead.
However, his comments suggested the party would overhaul the educational framework. Farage declared: “We face an enormous task with schooling – truly monumental. Moreover, it won’t happen quickly; it will take us years, a long-term effort to reform.”
He stated that gen Z was more open to critical thinking, but millennials were “absolutely hopeless”.
Honoring Charlie Kirk, Farage said: “All I want education to do to teach critical thinking – to educate individuals that multiple perspectives exist and you make up your own mind as opposed to what’s happening now where views are labeled good or bad. This is a huge undertaking in the UK and US.”
Reform has previously clashed with a major educators’ organization, after Kebede called the party “far right and racist” and dismissed Farage as “a poundshop Donald Trump”.
Farage has accused Kebede of being “a self-declared Marxist” … an individual intent that our children should be poisoned through education, their thinking tainted regarding national issues” and has argued that the union is trying to indoctrinate youth opposed to his party.
Almost one million people are employed in education in the UK, with educators comprising half and the remainder being assistants and administrative personnel. The major education union has about 450,000 members.
National strikes over educators’ salaries and work environment in recent years caused widespread disruption in educational institutions and extensive missed instruction for students.
During the American gathering, Farage also vowed to promote the online educational material of the Christian college in the UK. He said such groups were “part of the fightback”, noting: “I mean this. I will help garner hundreds of thousands, if not millions of young people to these educational programs. I make that commitment tonight and I’ll do that.”
The college, a small private Christian college, offers free courses. According to its online description: “Comprehensive learning is vital for well-being and to maintain the benefits of freedom. It offers these excellent programs for free to every interested learner.”
