Tensions at East Preston Islamic College, one of Australia’s largest Islamic high schools, are threatening to disrupt the education of hundreds of students. Protests by students and parents were held last Friday and Monday, with police called twice to the scene.
On Monday, many students found themselves locked out of the school, leaving some stranded and unable to contact their parents. The school’s teachers were only informed that students would be working from home via a text message from Principal Sonya Hammoud five minutes after the school day started.
By mid-morning, Ms Hammoud sent a message to the larger school community that not enough teachers had turned up to run classes, which accommodate around 750 students between years prep and 12.
The school’s former principals, Neil Hasankolli and Masiha Rayanwere, were stood down for alleged but unspecified serious misconduct, which deeply split the school community.
Parent and student protesters outside the gate were heard chanting for the removal of Ms Hammoud and carried placards that demanded the sacking of the school board that appointed her.
The former board was deposed by a vote last year, and the school received a scathing assessment from sector regulator the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, which issued a rectification plan in November 2022 to improve the college’s performance.
The 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 displeasure at the changes made by the new board prompted 100 of them to sign a petition asking for the former principals to be reinstated. School chairman Edin Dzelalagic and Ms Hammoud have promised to meet with members of the school community in an attempt to mend the bitter rift.
On Thursday, after normal classes had resumed, the pair released a joint statement to the school community, urging people to stick by the college.
They insisted the school would continue “providing a superior Islamic education in an environment where the safety and welfare of our students is paramount”. The school is owned by the Islamic Co-ordinating Council of Victoria, an alliance of 11 Islamic community groups from across greater Melbourne.
»Bitter dispute threatens to break apart one of Australia’s largest Islamic high schools«
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