A school in Wales has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that students were taught to plot illegal migration routes from Syria to the UK as part of a classroom activity. The lesson, conducted at St John Lloyd School in Llanelli, encouraged students to find routes that avoided all controlled borders, sparking controversy and an official investigation.
What Were the Students Taught?
During the lesson, students were asked to use Google Classroom resources to plan migration journeys across Europe. The activity graded students based on their ability to avoid border controls, with different achievement levels:
- Gold Grade – Plan a route from Syria to the UK ensuring all controlled borders are avoided using land and sea.
- Silver Grade – Avoid some controlled borders.
- Bronze Grade – Ensure all controlled borders are avoided.
The Carmarthenshire Council has since removed the material from the school’s resource library and launched an investigation to determine how such content was introduced into the curriculum.
Public and Expert Reactions
The revelation has sparked criticism, with psychotherapist James Essess calling it a form of “woke, anti-British propaganda”. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said:
“Instead of simply teaching students how to read maps, they appear to do so under the guise of helping illegal immigrants enter the United Kingdom.”
He further stated that given the widespread concerns about illegal migration, many parents would be outraged at the idea of such ideological indoctrination in schools.
Concerns Over Migration Education in Schools
This incident adds to growing concerns about how migration and immigration issues are being taught in schools. Other examples include:
- Usborne Publishing’s children’s book titled Lift the Flap: Questions and Answers About Refugees, aimed at children aged seven and above, which suggests that “we all have roots in other countries” and encourages students to write to MPs in support of refugees.
- The Welsh Government’s “Anti-Racist Wales” policy, which aims to ensure that public bodies educate pupils on historical injustices and present history through the lens of Black, Asian, and minority groups.
These initiatives have raised debates over political bias in education, with critics arguing that schools should focus on impartial teaching rather than activist-driven content.
Investigation and Next Steps
With the Carmarthenshire Council’s ongoing investigation, it remains unclear whether the teachers were following an official curriculum directive or if the lesson plan was independently created using external materials.
While schools play a crucial role in educating students about global issues, this case raises important questions about how such topics are presented and whether they cross the line into political influence.
The outcome of the investigation will determine whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader trend in education policies.
