School lessons on terrorism rubbished

from the Weston Mercury Newspaper

GOVERNMENT plans for teachers to educate children about terrorism have been rubbished by a senior North Somerset councilor.

Teachers now have access to new guidance on how to spot children who are 'vulnerable' to extremism.

Secretary of state for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, says that schools have a 'key role' to play in getting youngsters to reject unsavoury views.

He introduced the Learning Together to be Safe booklet to encourage teachers to:

*Raise awareness of the threat from violent extremist groups.

*Provide information about its causes.

*Protect the wellbeing of particular pupils or groups who may be vulnerable to being drawn into violent extremist activity.

However, the unitary authority's member for children and young people, Cllr Jeremy Blatchford, says that counter extremism should be left to the experts.

Cllr Blatchford said: "It is a very dangerous thing for a people who are not members of the security and intelligence services to deal with.

"I think that it should be left to the professionals."

But the guidance has received backing from the National Union of Teachers.

Acting general secretary, Chritine Blowers, said: "Tiny, violent political groups can present a significant threat to large numbers of people.

"Terrorist threats have to be tackled. It's worth remembering that groups such as those from the far right can pose intimidatory threats to their communities, as serious as those from al-Qaeda.

"There is a very strong argument for providing the time and space in schools to enable teachers to work through the issues posed by determined individuals who are committed to recruiting young people to violent causes.

"No teacher will ignore obvious information about a specific, real threat, but it is vital that teachers are able to discuss with and listen to pupils, without feeling that they have to report every word."