Prevent duty stigmatising Muslim students in UK: study

Research highlights concerns that Muslim students in particular may feel singled out

Teachers in the United Kingdom fear that the government strategy in schools and colleges is adding to the stigma faced by Muslim pupils, according to a research.

The study comes as the government prepares to expand Prevent duty, a counter-radicalisation strategy introduced two years ago, after a Whitehall review.

"Approaching Prevent as part of safeguarding appears largely to have been accepted by schools and colleges and has helped to foster fairly widespread confidence about the duty," explains Dr Joel Busher, the lead investigator of the study conducted by Coventry, Durham and Huddersfield universities.



"However, linking the duty to the promotion of "fundamental British values" – and in particular the pressure on schools and colleges to emphasise the 'Britishness' of these values – is often seen as more problematic," Busher said. "We heard about fears that this element is both hampering effective curriculum work around shared values and democratic citizenship, and creating uncertainty about the focus of the prevent duty."

The researchers surveyed school and college staff highlighted it was unlikely that genuine cases of students being drawn towards ‘terrorism’ could be determined by Prevent. They raised concerns that Muslim students in particular may feel singled out, while some warned that the strategy may sway young people towards terrorism instead of preventing it.

The research, however, also found schools and colleges confident over the implementation Prevent duty. But the source of widespread resistance to the scheme could not be identified, and despite earlier reports, it found little proof the scheme curtailed free speech – since the staff encouraged discussions on the strategy in classrooms.



"Widespread and sometimes acute concerns about possible feelings of stigmatisation among Muslim students highlight an urgent need for systematic evaluation of how, if at all, the Prevent duty has impacted on student experiences," Busher added.

"It is likely to be some years before we are able to truly assess the impact of the Prevent duty and further research is needed," said Busher. "In the meantime, we hope that this research can serve as a stimulus for constructive yet critical discussion about what the Prevent duty means for schools and colleges."

Researchers also interviewed 70 education professionals in 14 schools and colleges in West Yorkshire and London, and eight Prevent practitioners at local authority level. A national survey of 225 educational institutes was also conducted while discussions with Muslim organisations, election trade unions, government departments and local authorities were also held by the team.

According to Sally Hunt, general secretary of University and College Union, the "report again raises the issue of increased stigmatisation of Muslim students and the bizarre focus on ‘British values’. There is a risk that closing down debate drives a subject underground, and makes people less likely to speak up or out."

Hunt went on to say: "Some of the subjects up for debate may be difficult ones, but shying away from them is no way to deal with any issue. The government could lead by example and commission an independent report into the impact and effectiveness of Prevent in schools, colleges and universities."

Responding to the report, Department of Education insisted that "Prevent duty was about helping to keep children safe and equipping them with the knowledge to question extremist and radical views."

"This report shows that not only is there widespread understanding of this but schools and colleges are confident about how to deliver it in the classroom," the department said. "Schools and colleges also agree the suggestion Prevent shuts down debate or discussion of controversial issues is simply not the case. We will continue to help schools and colleges with the Prevent duty by providing guidance, support and teaching resources through our Educate Against Hate website."

This article originally appeared in The Guardian.