Key Takeaways
- The New Madinah College in regional New South Wales has been given 28 days to provide evidence that its principal, Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, meets fit and proper requirements or its registration could be cancelled.
- The investigation into the school was launched 11 months ago due to comments about Zionism that attracted accusations of antisemitism made from an account bearing the name of Sheikh Albaf.
- The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has been monitoring the school’s implementation of policies and procedures and has issued a show cause notice to the chair of the school’s board.
- The Australian Jewish Association has expressed disappointment that the investigation has taken so long, citing concerns about the potential impact on students.
- The NSW Acting Education Minister has directed NESA to review the "fit and proper person" requirements for principals to ensure they are strengthened.
Introduction to the Investigation
The New Madinah College in regional New South Wales has been given a deadline of 28 days to provide evidence that its principal, Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, meets the fit and proper requirements or its registration could be cancelled. This comes 11 months after a federal and state government investigation was launched into comments about Zionism that attracted accusations of antisemitism made from an account bearing the name of Sheikh Albaf. The investigation was launched due to concerns about the potential impact of these comments on students and the wider community.
The School and Its Curriculum
According to its website, the New Madinah College is an Islamic school where students learn about the Koran, the Arabic language, and Islamic values and principles, as well as core curricular subjects from kindergarten to year 10. The school’s curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education that combines academic subjects with Islamic values and principles. However, the investigation has raised concerns about the potential for antisemitic views to be promoted at the school, which could have a negative impact on students and the wider community.
NESA’s Involvement
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) began monitoring the school’s implementation of policies and procedures soon after the investigation was launched and inspected the school in the middle of the year. In a statement to the ABC, a spokesperson for NESA said that it had issued "a show cause notice to the chair of New Madinah College’s board about the conduct of the school’s principal". NESA has made it clear that there is no tolerance for non-compliance with registration requirements, including the expectation that all responsible persons meet fit and proper requirements. The authority’s priority remains the safety and wellbeing of students, and it will take action if necessary to ensure that these requirements are met.
Concerns About the Investigation
The Australian Jewish Association has expressed disappointment that the investigation has taken so long, citing concerns about the potential impact on students. Chief executive officer Robert Gregory said that he was disappointed that the 11-month investigation had "taken so long", and that "we’re talking about almost an entire year where children have been learning in this school where clearly there are issues". Gregory also noted that incitement can lead to tragic results, and that it is imperative that the government takes this very seriously, particularly in educational settings.
Government Response
In response to the concerns raised by the Australian Jewish Association, the NSW Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos has directed NESA to review the "fit and proper person" requirements for principals to ensure they are strengthened. Houssos said that "this will ensure that unacceptable conduct does not go unchecked", and that "we will not hesitate to take action against antisemitism in all its forms". The government’s response is aimed at ensuring that schools provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students, and that principals and teachers are held to high standards of conduct and behavior.
Conclusion
The investigation into the New Madinah College and its principal, Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, has raised important questions about the potential for antisemitic views to be promoted in schools. The NSW Education Standards Authority has taken action to address these concerns, and the government has directed NESA to review the "fit and proper person" requirements for principals. The outcome of this investigation will have important implications for the school and its students, and will help to ensure that schools provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The Australian Jewish Association and other community groups will be watching the outcome of this investigation closely, and will continue to advocate for strong action against antisemitism in all its forms.