Was Striking This Teacher Off The Correct Decision?

[sp1814]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24714608

By the way - stunning defence:

"The General Teaching Council panel noted that McNally had suggested that, after a long career, he had made these comments when he was having a particularly bad day."

That must've been a very bad day...

And in answer to my question, I think it has to be a big fat 'yes'.

But what do you think? Do you think he may have simply been teasing the kids or being as un-PC as he could, in order to get a rise out of them?

[craft1948]

Sounds like he's had a bit of a breakdown to me........................

[ummmm]

Yes I think he should be struck off.

[jim360]

Almost as if he was having a competition with himself to see how outrageous he could get before anyone noticed...

[ToraToraTora]

No. This isn't 1984 we do no have the thought police. We have to accept that in a relatively free society there will be some with unpalatable views. There are many things I find offensive every day but I would still defend the general right to have those views.

[ChillDoubt]

Serious case of brain fade there, fairly cut and dried.
His failure to attend the hearing itself implys that he knew what the inevitable outcome would be.

[ummmm]

And express them to children?

[sp1814]

ToraToraTora

But in 1984, didn't the thought police attempt to control what people thought...as opposed to what teachers said to children?

[Mamyalynne]

If that is the only way he can react to a bad day, then he is not fit to teach our children.

[Prudie]

Presumably he hasn't come out with comments like that throughout his teaching career so agree it suggests a breakdown. Whatever yes he should be struck off. He has the right to have those views but to impart them on school children no, a teacher should come across as impartial as possible.

[sherrardk]

Yes it was right - any idiot knows you can't say things like that to
pupils.

[RATTER15]

Definitely the correct decision!

[andy-hughes]

I am not sure whether a period of extended sick absence and a psychiatric evaluation might have been a better first step.

[elliemay1]

Sounds as if he wanted to be struck off. Don't know how long he's been teaching but he obviously would have know the consequences.

[Baldric]

///McNally now has the opportunity to appeal.///

Doesn't appeal to me at all, correct decision imo!

[rockyracoon]

I wouldn't want him teaching my kids.

[sandyRoe]

A long career and then this. As others have already said, it looks as though he might be mentally ill.

[anotheoldgit]

Teachers are employed to teach children the correct ways in the subjects they teach, this being a religious lesson and with there being so many different religions being taught these days, one doesn't know which exactly is the correct way, but whatever it is, the lesson this teacher was giving was definitely the wrong one.

[sp1814]

I'm now thinking that some of the other posters may have a point. Thinking about it - if this man came out with all of these statements on the same day, perhaps he was going through some kind of meltdown.

If this were to be proven (medical evidence), then I would say, "Yeah...give him time off, and some counselling, but let him come back".

[jno]

has TTT given any consideration to what "thought police" might mean? "Thought" police?

Yes, I wouldn't want an idiot like that in my child's class.

[society]

He deserved what he got.