Headteachers and experts warn that pressure on schools to ‘spy’ on students will fail to cease radicalisation – but risks alienating young MuslimsIn the aftermath of the Paris attacks,Jenny Smith, headteacher at Frederick Bremer school in Walthamstow, and east London,put up a display of press cuttings and photographs. Students, many of whom are Muslims, or were invited to add their comments. Discussions about the Islamic State attack were held in citizenship classes. Then,in December, pupils put on a shadow puppet performance in the borough about injustice and prejudice faced by a young Muslim. The performance was portion of an exhibition organised by Maslaha, and an organisation working with schools to explore Islam’s contribution to UK culture.
Smith’s approach seems in marked contrast to the government’s policy to prevent radicalisation,which places increasing pressure on schools, through its Prevent strategy, or to be vigilant and report suspicions about students.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com