Pupils taught to spot extremism at school

A piece written for BBC London

By Yixiang Zeng

A new initiative in Waltham Forest is teaching school children to spot and report fellow pupils who show signs of extremism or who express radical views.

The idea was discussed at a conference called "Promoting Cohesion through Schools" organised by Metropolitan Police and the Waltham Forest Council to look how schools can play a part in tackling community tensions.

Researcher Houriya Ahmed, from the Centre for Social Cohesion, said: "In general, if pupils find anyone who has extremist views, they are expected to be able to speak to their teachers and the teachers should be informed."

However, headteacher Helen Jeffery from George Mitchell School, said: "These kids do not just snitch on each other."

Being safe together

School children in Waltham Forest will also be getting lessons from a new curriculum called "Learning Together to be Safe".

This will feature a series of classes looking at areas such as the British National Party, Irish Republican Army, Al Qaeda and animal rights extremists.

Zetasha Sheikh, a Year 10 student at Kelmscott School in Waltham Forest said,"Yes, we are encouraged to do it" when asked if the children were being asked to spot extremists.

Creative methods

Zetasha is one of the many pupils in the borough who are using creative methods to better understand each other's cultures and identities.

The 15-year-old talked about a project called "Flava Press Gang" that she has been participating in so far.

"Through what I am doing at the Waltham Forest News, I understand more about different kinds of people, cultures and communities.

"For example, at the moment I am doing some research on Chinese New Year, it helps me learn about Chinese Zodiac and know that I am from the Year of Dog.

"Muslims, Christians and people from different kinds of background are living in our London boroughs. Like, I am British Pakistani.

"Through exploring these identities, it broadens my mind and gives me a better understanding of multiculturalism and tolerance. I feel I am privileged of being British as well as the country where I am originally from."

Communication to achieve one goal

Faima Islam, a pupil from The Lammas School talked about how another project "Peer Mediation Service" improves the mediator's self-esteem. The 14-year-old said: "As a mediator, you need to know how to talk and help resolve the problem."

Daniaal Khalid, aged 15, from the same school as Faima, said: "We were divided into groups to play a game named 'building up bricks', but during the process we cannot talk, and we can only communicate with each other through using our body language.

"It makes us aware how important communication and consultation skills are when working within a team to achieve one goal."