LGBT teacher competing for $ 1 million global prize

An badistant from Birmingham, at the center of a battle about lessons on LGBT rights and homophobia, has been named in the Top 10 Finalists for a World Teaching Award.

Andrew Moffat, principal teacher at Parkfield Community School, is vying for the million dollar prize (£ 770,000).

Muslim parents protested in primary school.

The selection was announced by X-Men actor Hugh Jackman, who said the teachers were the "real superheroes".

Mr. Moffat led a "No Outsiders" project to promote equality and diversity at school, including lessons on gender identity and LGBT rights.

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This provoked the anger of some parents who, earlier in the session, had organized protests outside the school, some of whom had signed a petition against the project.

Protesters said that primary school children were too young for such lessons.

But a statement from the school said it was his duty to protect students, including homophobic or transgender bullying.

Mr. Moffat, recipient of an MBE in 2017 for his services in favor of equality and diversity in education, was named in the final list of finalists for the Global Teacher Prize, organized each year by the foundation for Varkey training.

• Parents protest in the LGBT row of the school
• A teacher of LGBT ranks "threatened"

He was previously in the top 50, which is now one of the top 10. The winner will be announced next month.

Mr. Moffat was commended for his work to improve the chances of students from a disadvantaged area of ​​Birmingham, in a school where most are from Muslim families and many of whom speak another language at home.

He directs projects so that students "meet people of different races, religions and cultures".

State Secretary for Education Damian Hinds said Mr. Moffat's top 10 positions were "another opportune time to thank all our teachers for their dedication and outstanding work, day in and day out. , for our children and our society, in their unique role ".

Teachers "change the world"

Announcing the finalists in a video message, Jackman said, "I can tell you right now, from my point of view, with all my experience, that the real superheroes are teachers – they are the ones who are changing the world.

"My favorite uncle was a teacher My sister is a teacher My brother is a teacher And I have always thought that the most important job in the world was that of a teacher.

"We all live in insecurity and doubt, worry throughout this life course, and those teachers who see the best of us and who have the patience to allow us to grow in that." senses are like gold. "

The other finalists come from Georgia, Brazil, the Netherlands, India, the United States, Argentina, Australia, Japan and Kenya.