Teacher Banned for 'Edward Cullen' Love Confession to Pupil
Rafiqul Islam's conduct at Friern Barnet School leads to professional ban following sexually motivated findings.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
Rafiqul Islam, a teacher, has been permanently banned from the profession after a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) tribunal found his actions towards a pupil were sexually motivated.
Islam, 34, sent messages to Pupil A via Instagram, including calling her 'cute' and stating he loved her.
He confessed to Pupil A that he had fallen in love with her, comparing his feelings to an 'Edward Cullen type of love' in one message.
The TRA tribunal claimed Islam's actions were sexually motivated.
He asserted he sought companionship, having never been in a relationship.
Islam described his feelings as 'infatuation,' stating he sent the message to ascertain if Pupil A felt the same way.
He maintained his actions were not sexual, a critical distinction in the tribunal's assessment of his professional conduct.
The panel, however, claimed Islam believed Pupil A liked him or harbored feelings for him.
This belief underpinned their assessment of his conduct.
Islam also claimed he never pursued sex outside of marriage, indicating such actions would contravene his religious beliefs.
His previous use of dating apps, he argued, proved his interest lay solely in finding a spouse; he presented this historical pattern as evidence.
Islam indicated that I was a relatively new teacher at the time, making a poor decision for which he apologized. Islam noted he had changed significantly over the past four years.
He claimed he was a relatively new teacher at the time, making a poor decision for which he apologized.
Islam noted he had changed significantly over the past four years.
Despite his personal feelings, Islam stated he now understands the impropriety of telling a pupil he loved her.
This acknowledgment came during the tribunal proceedings.