Fake teacher is banned from UK classrooms

Classroom stock
General school classroom . 9 July 2002 — Classroom stock General school classroom . 9 July 2002

Mohammad Mustafa, 44, claimed to have graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in education with qualified teacher status (QTS).

He used the bogus certificate to apply for work with teaching agencies ‘Engage Education’ and ‘Athona Education’, the National College for Teaching and Leadership heard.

Mustafa also falsely claimed he had worked at a private school for seven years and said he could provide a positive reference.

A Professional Conduct Panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership convened in private to consider the case of Mr Mustafa.

The decision was announced in public.

Mr Mustafa was not present and not represented.

It was alleged that during 2014, he provided fraudulent information when applying for work; falsified an employment reference; falsified his degree certificate so that it appeared he had obtained qualified teacher status; provided false information on his CV and in doing so his actions were dishonest.

Mr Mustafa admitted all the facts alleged in a written statement and the overall allegation of unacceptable professional conduct and/or conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute. The panel said that Mr Mustafa wholly failed to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct.

It added: “Mr Mustafa demonstrated repeated dishonesty by producing three false documents.

“His dishonest conduct was sustained, consistent and clearly pre-meditated.

“He had suffered from mental health issues but there was no strong evidence that he was suffering from any health issue that affected in any significant way, the way in which he conducted himself.

“The panel said the public expect teachers to demonstrate a high standard of honesty. Mr Mustafa showed complete disregard for such standards of ethics and behaviour bu holding himself out as qualified in the way that he did. The panel decided that Mr Mohammad Mustafa should be prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.He shall not be entitled to apply to teach again.

Lancaster University did not wish to comment.