East Preston Islamic College thrown into chaos as teachers refuse to turn up to class

A bitter dispute threatens to tear apart one of Australia’s largest Islamic secondary schools and sabotage the education of hundreds of students.

Simmering tensions at East Preston Islamic College in north-east Melbourne came to light last Friday and Monday when protesting students and parents were driven off the school grounds and police were called twice. to the scene.

The protest, which was sparked by the firing of the former principal and vice principal for unspecified offences, was particularly tense on Friday, but on Monday many students showed up expecting to attend classes only to find themselves blocked.

“There are some students who are minors, who have come by public transport, or their parents have dropped them off, and they are just left here with no phone, no way to get home,” said an unidentified Year 11 student. Age.

“I called my parents and told them I had to go home, but this is not professional.”

Teachers at the school were only informed that students would be working from home via a text message sent by Principal Sonya Hammoud five minutes after the school day began.

By mid-morning, Ms Hammoud sent a message to the wider school community that not enough teachers had turned up to teach classes, which accommodate around 750 students in prep to 12 years.

“I am writing to inform you that due to the high amount of teacher absenteeism with limited notice this morning, particularly in the high school department, we do not have sufficient teaching staff on board to ensure proper supervision of all students,” wrote Ms. .Hammoud. .

“Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to allow seniors to work from home if they choose. For those who prefer to remain on campus, we have arranged supervision in the common room.

Ms Hammoud was appointed director just two weeks ago after the previous director, Neil Hasankolli, and interim director Masiha Rayanwere, were fired for alleged but unspecified serious misconduct.

The move deeply divided the school community.

Parents and students protesting outside the gate were heard chanting for the removal of Ms. Hammoud and carried banners demanding the dismissal of the school board that appointed her.

One TikTok account even accused Ms. Hammoud of making a racist statement to a student.

The previous board was voted out of office last year when the non-government school received a scathing assessment from industry regulator, the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.

The Authority issued a rectification plan in November 2022 “which identified a number of areas where the college needs to improve.”

The independent school, which houses some 750 students from preparation to year 12, has been bitterly divided over changes brought by a new board.

A number of East Preston Islamic College staff, parents and students have called for the reinstatement of the previous Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster.

At the start of this school year, an ongoing power struggle between the new board and its predecessor led to staff salaries being withheld until the Independent Education Union threatened to take the case to Fair Work Australia.

However, staff discontent over the changes made by the new board led 100 of them to sign a petition to have the previous directors reinstated.

The school’s president, Edin Dzelalagic, and Ms. Hammoud promised to meet with members of the school community in an attempt to mend the bitter rift.

On Thursday, after normal classes resumed, the couple issued a joint statement to the school community, urging people to stay at the university.

They insisted that the school would continue to “provide a higher Islamic education in an environment where the safety and well-being of our students is paramount.”

The school is owned by the Victorian Islamic Coordinating Council, an alliance of 11 Islamic community groups from across Melbourne.

The school has been contacted for comment.