Parent fury as asylum seekers given English lessons at primary school with children around
Mums and dads joined the protest over concerns ‘unvetted’ people would attend the lessons.
Parents have protested outside a primary school against English lessons for asylum seekers during class times. Mums and dads of children who attend Dalmarnock Primary School in Bridgeton, Glasgow, gathered outside the school gates on Monday (November 24) for the protest reportedly organised by self-proclaimed paedophile hunter, Alex Cairnie, and podcaster, Craig Houston.
Local media reports that the parents joined the protest over concerns “unvetted” people would attend the lessons and that some kept their children off school. Glasgow City Council has insisted that the individuals who have signed up for the classes are existing members of the school community.
The Express understands the classes are for parents and carers of children at the school and they are not left unsupervised.
A spokesperson for the council said the local authority won’t tolerate racism or bigotry in its schools, claiming the campaign was “misguided and toxic”.
Glasgow Times reports the spokesperson as saying: “Our schools are family education community hubs, and every parent and carer is welcome in their child’s school.
“In fact, a Read, Write, Count session for families was held in Dalmarnock Primary this week and no one raised any objections.”
The council said it would also not tolerate strangers and vigilante groups entering its schools claiming to keep children safe when they have a clear hidden agenda to incite fear and alarm by spreading misinformation and inciting violence which is fuelled by bigotry.
It added: “Our schools are family education community hubs, and every parent and carer is welcome in their child’s school.”
Parents have denied race as a motive behind the protest, which saw officers from Police Scotland in attendance.
Protesters say ‘unvetted’ people attend the classes but the council says they are parents (Image: Getty)
A mum, who hasn’t been named, told the publication: “Parents feel like their concerns are being ignored and are deeply upset that they are being portrayed as toxic and bigoted. That is simply not the case, we are worried about safeguarding our children during school times.”
She said many people were upset and didn’t want to be associated with any “third party” who had “latched on” to their concerns.
The council spokesperson said the local authority’s education director met parents during the protest and offered reassurance there was no safeguarding issue. They added the classes would continue as part of a wider offer across the city for parents and carers.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force was aware of the protest and a proportionate police plan was in place to ensure the safety of those in attendance and to mitigate disruption to the wider community.
The force said there was no criminality.
