This Article is From Oct 21, 2015

Indian-Origin Ex-Principal Faces Unprofessional Conduct Charge

Indian-Origin Ex-Principal Faces Unprofessional Conduct Charge

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London: An Indian-origin former principal of a school in UK's West Midlands region is facing action over alleged unprofessional conduct after he reportedly advised a teacher to dump his phone said to be having "extreme pornography" to avoid any trouble.

Hardeep Saini, the former head-teacher - as school principals are known in the UK - of Birmingham's Golden Hillock school, is alleged to have advised a teacher, at the time under police investigation for having "extreme pornography" on their mobile, "to throw his phone in the canal to make sure there was no problem."

Mr Saini is further accused of failing to take action in his post when a Muslim teacher is said to have claimed: "We have the true religion."

The allegations, being heard by a National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) panel, form part of a wide-ranging investigation into extremism within schools in Birmingham as part of the so-called 'Trojan Horse' plot.

Five teachers in all face a common allegation that they agreed to the inclusion of "an undue amount of religious influence in the education of the pupils" at Park View and its other sister schools in the region, Birmingham Mail reported.

Park View was at the heart of accusations of the alleged plot by hard-line Muslims to take over several Birmingham schools.

Others facing charges include Moz (Monzoor) Hussain, Razwan Faraz, Arshad Hussain and Lindsey Clark.

They all deny the allegations.

As part of the NCTL's case, it is alleged the former teachers applied "improper pressure" on staff who were "unsympathetic" to their aims, appointed staff who were sympathetic to their cause, and encouraged pupils to pray in school through - among other methods - broadcasting a call to prayer on Park View's loud-speakers.

The hearing in Coventry, West Midlands, is scheduled to last until December and may also hear over the coming weeks from former Park View pupils.
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