SCHOOLS in England are being reminded to teach sensitive issues in a non-biased way, under new guidance reports the BBC.

It aims to help teachers cover complex topics, such as the history of the British Empire or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, without pushing one political view over another.

There is also a warning against teachers expressing their own views.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi says no subject should be off limits, but teaching must be impartial.

The promotion of partisan political views in class is unlawful under the 1996 Education Act.

This means that where teachers present controversial political views in a lesson, they must offer a balanced overview of opposing views.

The Political Impartiality in Schools guidance, published by the Department for Education on Thursday, asks schools to think carefully when planning lessons and choosing class materials.

It draws a distinction between subject areas which may be part of teaching, such as racism or colonialism, and promoting support for campaigning groups, such as Black Lives Matter. 

It urges teachers not to offer their own political views in class.

Schools are also being asked to listen and try to resolve any concerns raised by parents who feel their children have been exposed to an uncontested political view.

National Education Union joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted says there is already sufficient guidance under the Education Act.

The new guidance adds “new layers of mystification and complexity” and could increase uncertainty and put schools off engaging with political issues, she says.

Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Geoff Barton welcomed the guidance, saying it comes at a time when “young people are exposed to a swirl of misinformation online, and an increasingly toxic discourse on social media”.