‘Terrorist’ comment incites wrath

US Education Secretary Rod Paige has infuriated American teachers with his comment labelling the National Education Association (NEA) as a "terrorist orgnaisation".

On February 23, at a private meeting with US Governors in the White House Mr Paige called the union a "terrorist organisation". He argued that the union often acts at odds against the wishes of rank-and-file teachers regarding school standards and accountability.

He later offered an 'apology'.

Responding to the remarks, NEA President Reg Weaver said: "Our members say that once again this national leader has insulted them, this time beyond repair, with words filled with hatred -- and merely because they raised legitimate concerns about the president's so-called No Child Left Behind law."

(No Child Left Behind mandated student testing and teacher training with little funding, forcing many low-income schools to choose between investing in core academic offerings or paying for the new requirements.)

"Our members say they deserve more than unfair labels and mean-spirited apologies. The administration must be made to understand the gravity of the charge leveled at 2.7 million patriotic American citizens," Mr Weaver said.

He urged the union's 2.7 million members to contact Paige and other officials about the remarks.

"Our members are the NEA, and on behalf of them, I ask President Bush to express his regret to the nation's educators and demand that Secretary Paige step down," Mr Weaver said.

Paige's 'apology'

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