Piers Morgan sent Twitter into outrage this morning after making a controversial comment about teachers.
On today’s edition of Good Morning Britain, he responded to reports that some teachers were allegedly refusing to conduct lessons over video call, as they felt it would intrude on students’ home lives.
He slammed the excuse as “pathetic”, resulting in many angry viewers defending teaching staff on social media.
Speaking alongside co-host Susanna Reid, Piers ranted: "I just want to say something.
"Teachers - apparently, some teachers in state schools are saying that they do not want to do Zoom classes.
"They do not want to do Zoom classes with their students because they are concerned about an invasion of privacy into their homes.
"You know what? Get a screen behind you, get on one of the fake ones that Zoom lets you do. Get a desert island behind you.
"My nine-year-old child could do that in ten seconds. This is a pathetic excuse, you have to stand up now, teachers.
"I am behind you over the safety issues and Covid safety of schools.
"But I am not behind you at all when I hear that."
The rant resulted in many angry viewers posting their reaction on social media.
One viewer tweeted: “I'm sure that it's a minority number of teachers that have complained about invasion of privacy. Every member of staff in my school provides live lessons.
“No one refused. Thanks for stoking the fire against us!”
A member of school staff added their opinion: “I’m a teacher and I’m still going into school teaching a full online timetable. Not all teachers are refusing to teach online lessons. Surely it must be the minority.”
“Why do we have to keep putting teachers down,” added another viewer.
“99% of us are actually going above and beyond what we need to do! Teachers would rather be back in the classroom.”
A final person added that most teachers were more than willing to use video services to conduct lessons.
“In regards to teachers that’s a small minority,” they said.
“Please mention that next time you go on a rant. I know an awful load of teachers working day and night to ensure these kids get the education they need.”
Teaching staff have had to adapt their lessons to be able to include a majority of students working from home, after the third lockdown closed schools to all pupils apart from the vulnerable and the children of key workers.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am.
