Teacher banned after sharing derogatory Muslim posts

December 4, 2023

Teacher banned after sharing derogatory Muslim posts

A teacher who shared images of violence and wrote derogatory comments about Muslims online has been banned from the profession.

Amrik Nijran was working at Nottingham Academy when he published inappropriate comments and images online, which were seen by pupils.

He shared a bestiality image with a caption about Muslims, a panel heard.

He denied the allegations but a disciplinary panel found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) said it took place outside the education setting.

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However, the report found as Mr Nijran’s actions lead to pupils being exposed to “extreme material” – such as “serious violence and bestiality, albeit it appeared that was not Mr Nijran’s intention” – the panel was satisfied it amounted to unacceptable professional conduct.

‘Lack of tolerance’

The TRA heard Mr Nijran, who had “decades of experience”, had been employed at the academy, in Greenwood Road, as a science teacher since 2017.

In November 2020, sixth form pupils told a member of staff there were inappropriate posts on Mr Nijran’s personal Twitter account.

Investigations were then started by the school, local authority and police, but Mr Nijran resigned in March 2021 and police took no further action.

Mr Nijran, now 69, demonstrated and promoted “a lack of tolerance and respect for the rights or beliefs of others which is contrary to Fundamental British Values”, the report found.

‘Shocking’

“The general theme of the posts shared by Mr Nijran demonstrated and promoted a view that was prejudicial particularly to those from Pakistan and of the Muslim faith,” the disciplinary panel heard.

Mr Nijran said during the school’s investigation that he thought he had been hacked, but the panel found Mr Nijran was responsible for the posts.

The author of the report Marc Cavey said: “I am particularly mindful of the shocking nature of some of the materials shared and their discriminatory nature, and the potential impact on the standing of the profession.”

The panel heard Mr Nijran had not acted in any discriminatory way in his classroom practice and was well regarded by the pupils he taught, including a number of pupils of the Muslim faith.

The report concluded he should be prohibited from teaching indefinitely and should not be allowed to teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

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“He may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until 27 November 2025, two years from the date of this order at the earliest,” it said.

A spokesperson for the academy said they were “committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct” and “dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all”.

“When we became aware of the allegations, we immediately conducted a full investigation, which continued after the teacher’s resignation and upheld our robust procedures, which included making the appropriate referrals to the Teacher Regulation Agency and providing the necessary support to our school community.”