London // Teachers in British schools were told yesterday to monitor pupils' behaviour and report them to police if they suspected any were being drawn into extremism.
Ed Balls, the schools minister, unveiled a government "tool kit" to be sent to all teachers - including those with pupils as young as five - requiring them to debate in class the threat posed by Islamic extremists and far-right racist groups.
Originally, the guidance was directed only at Muslim children and, particularly, at the influences of al Qa'eda supporters on the young. However, teaching unions objected during the consultation process and said racist groups' efforts to recruit indigenous, white children also needed to be tackled.
In a similar move last year, the government asked universities in the United Kingdom to monitor the activities of students who might be involved in terrorism - a move that caused a storm of protest from lecturers who said they were being asked to act as police spies.
Concerns about the young being targeted by Islamists grew last month when a schoolboy was sentenced to two years' detention after plans to kill non-Muslims were found in his bedroom. Hammad Munshi was just 15 when he was recruited into a worldwide jihadist plot on the internet.
In yesterday's advice to schools, the government toned down the surveillance aspect and said radical views should be allowed to be expressed in classroom debates.
"This is not about asking teachers to be monitors and to be doing surveillance. That's not their job," Mr Balls said. "But if something concerns them, we want them to know who to turn to for help.
"Our goal must be to empower our young people to come together to expose violent extremists and reject cruelty and violence in whatever form it takes.
"Violent extremism influenced by al Qa'eda currently poses the greatest security threat, but other forms of extremism and hate- or race-based prejudice are also affecting our communities and causing alienation and disaffection among young people.
"The tool kit shows how education can be used to tackle all forms of extremism and build a stronger, safer society."
Mr Balls said a security response to terrorism was insufficient in the current climate and that the underlying issues must be addressed. He said that schools could play a "key role" in getting young people to reject extremism.
Under the guidelines, schools would have a designated teacher to whom pupils could report any concerns about grooming by extremist groups.
Although ministers reject the notion that schools are being targeted by terrorist groups, the guidance says teachers must extend their pastoral roles and, initially, report to parents any pupil found to be advocating violent extremism.
For more serious concerns, the guidance sets out how teachers should report it to the authorities, including social services, community workers and, in extreme cases, the police.
Reacting to the guidelines, Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: "We have a duty of care to try to prevent any young person descending into any kind of illegal activity which could ruin their lives. But teachers are not trained to deal with radicalisation. We're not spy-catchers."
Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, welcomed the guidance. "Terrorist threats have to be tackled," she said.
"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 Qa'eda."
But she said teachers had to retain the confidence of their pupils. "For the objectives of government guidance to be achieved, trust has to be maintained in schools," she said.
"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."
Chris Keates, general secretary of NAS/UWT, the largest teachers union in the United Kingdom, said: "We are living in challenging and difficult times, which require concerted action if we are to overcome the threat of violent extremism, prejudice and bigotry.
"Extremist groups are seeking to target young people in order to recruit and exploit them for their pernicious purposes. Schools can make an important contribution in helping to prevent young people becoming the victims of extremism.
"All schools need an unequivocal commitment to dealing with all forms of extremism, to providing information and training to staff, pupils and parents, to monitor systematically all incidents and trends, and to take decisive and effective action whenever problems arise."
However, Anthony Glees, a professor of security studies at the University of Buckingham, said he had reservations about the guidelines. It is "ridiculous" that they apply to children as young as five, he said.
Although he said there was a real need for government action to counter radicalisation of the young, he said he was disturbed that the guidance did not stress traditional British values, apparently because the government had reached a compromise with Muslim leaders.
"It is not saying that it is OK to be British," he told the BBC. "It says that your religion can define your identity and I think that that ultimately presents us with a security risk."
dsapsted@thenational.ae
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
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Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)
Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am
Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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