Teachers complained they are now expected to be 'frontline stormtroppers' in the fight against Islamist extremism in school, a conference has heard.
They said they are now being forced to spy on children during sensitive discussions as a result of new-counter terrorism rules.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) suggested that Government strategies designed to tackle extremism and terrorism have instead 'shut down debate' in schools.
Teachers said they now feel nervous discussing controversial issues over fears they will be pressured to report youngsters who share their opinions.
They also claimed young people feel unable to express there views on certain subjects, such as the Charlie Hebdo killings, for fear of being branded an extremist.
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3 comments:
Bunch of whiners.
What the hell is there to "debate"? The rights of Americans to live without fear, in their own country, in the culture they've established, vs. the non-existent rights of religious lunatics to take it away from us?
"Multi-culturalism" and political correctness have weeded out too many teachers with a strong moral backbone, and left the pandering chaff to kowtow to the tyranny of the diversity machine.
"Afraid to" discuss certain topics? Perhaps they're simply afraid of being sued and publicly vilified by those who decide to be "offended" by the mere hint that Islam could be a factor in terrorism. Or reported by children of Islamists, claiming "racism" or "intimidation" if islam's role in atrocities is mentioned.
Debate, my ass. I doubt many are capable of the critical thinking skills required to formulate and defend an opinion of their own, that wasn't spoonfed to them in a twelve second multimedia soundbite.
There is much to discuss. A teacher should be a facilitator for discussions in higher grades. What better way to learn then by using current events to draw direct links between what is happening now and what happened say 100, 200 or 239 years ago.
Regardless of what YOU believe in there are people in the Middle East fighting for what THEY believe in,(or what the CIA believes in, it depends on where you get your news and who you support), either way its their choice and there are reasons behind it. One immediate question that I am sure everyone wants to know is why exactly is the U.S. so deeply involved in this. To which I am sure there is much debate to be had. Or is the answer simply natural resources and reconstruction bids for companies that our politicians have heavily invested in.
Silencing discourse is never the answer.
They can believe what they want, as long as they believe it in their own sandbox.
But extremism has zero place in our culture, regardless of ideology.
Discussion is the examination of opinions and facts, debate is the defense of opposing points of view. Which is healthy and necessary to develop critical thinking skills, but the violence, intolerance and hatred of extremists must never be accepted in any form.
Extremism, however, does not support either discussion or debate, and should be denounced just as the Nazi ideology and fascism. Our country's values and freedoms are not compatible with radicals set on establishing tyranny.
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