Schools plan to tackle extremism

MINISTERS are right to tackle extremism at a younger age to stop the entrenchment of radical views, a Muslim leader has said.

Chairman of Oldham PCT and former councillor Riaz Ahmad welcomed moves by the Government to give material to schools and further education colleges to encourage discussion among students as young as 16.

He said in time younger students may also need to be made aware of radical views around them.

He added: “I am involved in a number of initiatives to tackle extremism and sometimes we despair and think ‘what more can we do?’ So anything that we can do like this must be welcomed.

“But there is no easy answer.

“I think 16 is an OK age to raise this but maybe in time it will have to be discussed at a younger age in schools as people are easily influenced.

“It is important they know the dangers.

“Teachers telling pupils and engaging them in a positive manner is good as it is being done in a safe environment by someone they can trust.

“I really hope this will work as there is very little we can do once the ideas become entrenched.”

His comments come as FE Minister John Denham said colleges are at the heart of local communities and had a key role to play in isolating and challenging anyone who promoted extremism.

Colleges and sixth forms will be given advice on promoting free debate through the “Learning Together to be Safe” scheme.

Ministers hope it will raise awareness among young people about the danger posed by extremists.

They said it can also help colleges understand the positive contribution they can make to empowering young people to create communities that are more resilient to extremism and protect the well-being of students or groups who may be vulnerable to being drawn into violent extremist activity.

Mr Denham added: “Colleges are at the heart of communities, not just as education providers, but as centres that encourage participation and promote tolerance and understanding.

“By fostering these values colleges can help communities develop resilience to those ideologies that promote hatred and violence and support vulnerable students who may be at risk.

“We hope that the toolkit will provide colleges with additional resources and support to help tackle the threat of violent extremism.”