Teachers in blast at armed forces

Mar 26 2008 by Jackie Bow, South Wales Echo

TEACHERS have voted to boycott military recruitment campaigns in South Wales schools.

At the annual conference of the UK’s biggest teaching union, the National Union of Teachers, delegates accused the armed forces of using “propaganda” to recruit teenagers, glamorising life and ignoring the realities of war.

The union has now promised to support any staff who want to boycott recruitment activities.

But the Ministry of Defence has denied the suggestion that the armed forces go into schools to recruit.

Brigadier Andrew Jackson, Commander of the Army Recruiting Group, said: “The single-service schools teams visit about 1,000 schools a year only at the invitation of the school.

“Their aim is to raise the general awareness of the armed forces in society, not to recruit.

“We are proud of the work we do with schools and colleges to inform young people about the tremendous work and careers on offer, which can provide fantastic and unique opportunities to a wide range of people from all sectors of society.”

One South Wales school governor told the Echo he did not see a problem with soldiers talking to pupils.

“If they are invited into schools why not?

“It’s no different from the police or fire service,” said Phil Williams, a governor of Penydre High School, Gurnos, Merthyr Tydfil, and a county councillor.

“They are all dangerous professions. As far as the pupils are concerned they should be treated with some respect and allowed to use their intelligence. They can make their own minds up.

“I don’t agree with the argument it may be a way out at all for youngsters in deprived areas,” he added.

“Quite frankly those who want to join up will join up. It’s not an easy option.”

An MoD spokesperson said the services did not target people under 16 and that their recruitment practices avoided “glamorising war”.

Mick Lerry, from the NUT’s ruling executive, said the military recruitment materials focused on “army life”, such as competitive sports, travel and “adventurous training”.

“There is no consideration of the dangers of warfare or the humanitarian consequences of military conflict,” he said.

“Teachers and careers advisers should always challenge pupils’ chosen careers at school in order to assess if the pupil has considered all the implications of a particular career choice.”

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jackie.bow@mediawales.co.uk