TEA Investigates Islamic Based Charter School

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has launched an investigation into Manara Academy in Irving. This should concern every parent and taxpayer in Texas!

According to reports, the TEA confirmed it has an active investigation into the charter school system, focusing on “district-level systems, practices and compliance” tied to allegations involving prohibited instructional materials and classroom activities. At this stage, the agency has not reached final conclusions, but the mere existence of such an investigation signals that serious concerns have been raised.

One widely reported issue involved classroom materials allegedly presenting a distorted geopolitical perspective, specifically, a map labeling Israel as “Palestine.” Regardless of one’s views on foreign policy, public charter schools in Texas should not be vehicles for

ideological indoctrination or one-sided narratives presented as fact.

Additionally, the school brought on a religious figure, Sheikh Yousef Bakeer, as a chaplain connected to a local Islamic center. While the school claims these services are “non-denominational,” parents have every right to question whether a publicly funded charter school is maintaining a clear line between education and religious influence. 

Further concerns arise from overlapping leadership ties between the school and outside religious organizations, raising legitimate questions about governance, accountability, and transparency.

The TEA exists to ensure schools receiving taxpayer funding are operating within the law and serving students, not pushing agendas or skirting accountability. The agency oversees more than a thousand school systems and has the authority to step in when serious issues arise. 

This situation does not exist in a vacuum. Across Texas, debates are intensifying over school choice, curriculum transparency, and the role of outside influence in education. Ongoing legal and political battles over which schools qualify for state programs have already raised concerns about foreign ties, ideological agendas, and whether taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately. 

The bottom line is that Islam has no place in our public education system. State funds and the newly implemented school choice program should not give a dime to schools that support Islam and the implementation of Sharia Law. We already have major issues with the advancements of Islam, and Texas Republican Primary voters overwhelmingly support an end to Sharia Law in Texas.

Parents are increasingly demanding answers, and rightly so.

Parents deserve:

• Full transparency about what their children are being taught

• Assurance that public funds are not being used for ideological or religious indoctrination

• Confidence that school leadership is acting in the best interest of students, not outside organizations