Ban partisan political views by teachers & lecturers in their professional role

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Require teachers & lecturers in state schools/unis to avoid partisan politics in their professional roles, incl. social media.

We call on the Government to introduce legislation requiring all teachers and lecturers in state-funded schools and universities to refrain from publicly expressing partisan political views while acting in their professional capacity, including on social media identifiable as their workplace role. This should strengthen existing impartiality rules to ensure pupils receive balanced education free from personal views.

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

We are not clear how the actions you are calling for are different to what is currently in place. Government guidance in relation to this is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools

These legal duties mean schools must “prohibit the promotion of partisan political views” and “should take steps to ensure the balanced presentation of opposing views on political issues when they are brought to the attention of pupils”.

You could start a new petition setting out more clearly what action you would like the UK Government or Parliament to take.

Timeline

10 May 2026	Petition opened for signatures
8 Jun 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Department Department for Education

Rejected 8 Jun 2026

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