British children 'profiled' with 'counter extremism' questionnaire
Council accused of racism after quizzing young children on race and religion with survey
PHOTO: GUARDIAN SERIES
LONDON:
A UK primary school is being accused of racism and profiling after introducing a ‘counter-extremism test’ which critics claim is aimed at Muslims.
The survey, which is designed to ‘identify initial seeds of radicalisation’, asks children as young as nine living in Waltham Forest, east London, detailed questions about their beliefs and poses several leading statements for them to assess, concerning the strength of their feelings and how far they might go to defend their religion.
Last week Muslim advocates began tweeting images of a questionnaire handed out to students of the Buxton School in East London. The test outraged many for its loaded questions, which appeared geared toward extracting specific information from religious students.
One question asked respondents to pick three words that best describe them from a defined list, mixing labels such as “Student” and “British” alongside three faith identities — Christian, Hindu, and Muslim. Another instructed students to mark whether they agreed, disagreed, or weren’t sure about hypothetical statements, such as “I believe my religion is the only correct one,” “God has a purpose for me,” and “I would mind if a family of a different race or religion moved next door.”
Another read: “Religious books are to be understood word for word”, “I believe my religion is the only correct one”, “God has a purpose for me” and “I would do what a grown up told me to do even if it seemed odd to me”.
The ‘leading questions’ caused shock among several British Muslims and Londoners and were administered to children as young as 9 years.
“The ‘test’ is creating a climate of fear/mistrust. Marginalizing Muslims and ethnics. Mandatory acceptance of ‘British Values’” one online commentator tweeted.
The social media hullabaloo led the Buxton School’s executive head teacher to publish a statement to calm apprehensive parents. The letter explained that the exam was part of the Building Resilience through Integration & Trust (BRIT) project, a voluntary pilot program for schools in the area paid for by the European Commission.
“As parents you will be well aware of our inclusive ethos and be surprised that this project, aimed at developing a cohesive community, has been misunderstood,” the letter read.
The real intent of the programme remains unclear. The text of the program’s website has been altered since the news of the test first broke according to the Telegraph. The project’s original stated purpose was reportedly “to identify the initial seeds of radicalization with children of primary school age,” but has since been deleted.
Read:Australia to introduce counter-terrorism citizenship changes
“The consequences of social exclusion, radicalisation and violent extremism are far reaching and are apparent in today’s society in many forms,” the website read. The Local Authority did not return requests from Think Progress to explain why the language was changed.
While only three faiths are listed on the questionnaire, the local authority that oversees the project insisted it is ‘in no way directed at pupils of any particular faith.’
“We’re glad that this has sparked a debate as our aim is to encourage people to talk about the importance of cohesion at all ages,” the statement read. “Whilst the program is not designed to focus on controversial issues, it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics or conversations; when they are raised by the children themselves, indeed the very nature of this program is to encourage conversation and openness.”
Others aren’t so sure. Massoud Shadjareh, chair of the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), said in a press release the test was “clearly racist and Islamophobic,” arguing that “there would be uproar if they had mentioned ‘Jew’ or ‘black’ in the identity question.”
IHRC also expressed concerns that the questionnaire may be a part of the UK’s anti-extremism efforts
IHRC also expressed concerns the questionnaire is part of the UK’s larger anti-extremism efforts such as The Counter Terrorism and Security Act, a controversial law enacted in February that aims to counter domestic threats.
The act has received extensive criticism for potentially allowing the government to restrict citizens’ rights. Section 5 of the legislation specifically has caused tumult among teachers and professors; which requires schools to find ways to prevent students being drawn into terrorism.
“The Counter Terrorism and Security Act puts a responsibility on schools to prevent youngsters falling into the clutches of extremist groups,” IHRC’s statement read. “The government has made it clear that schools will also have to actively promote ‘British values’ and will be judged by the schools’ watchdog Ofsted [Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills] on how well they teach them.”
The article originally appeared on THINK PROGRESS
A UK primary school is being accused of racism and profiling after introducing a ‘counter-extremism test’ which critics claim is aimed at Muslims.
The survey, which is designed to ‘identify initial seeds of radicalisation’, asks children as young as nine living in Waltham Forest, east London, detailed questions about their beliefs and poses several leading statements for them to assess, concerning the strength of their feelings and how far they might go to defend their religion.
Last week Muslim advocates began tweeting images of a questionnaire handed out to students of the Buxton School in East London. The test outraged many for its loaded questions, which appeared geared toward extracting specific information from religious students.
One question asked respondents to pick three words that best describe them from a defined list, mixing labels such as “Student” and “British” alongside three faith identities — Christian, Hindu, and Muslim. Another instructed students to mark whether they agreed, disagreed, or weren’t sure about hypothetical statements, such as “I believe my religion is the only correct one,” “God has a purpose for me,” and “I would mind if a family of a different race or religion moved next door.”
Another read: “Religious books are to be understood word for word”, “I believe my religion is the only correct one”, “God has a purpose for me” and “I would do what a grown up told me to do even if it seemed odd to me”.
The ‘leading questions’ caused shock among several British Muslims and Londoners and were administered to children as young as 9 years.
“The ‘test’ is creating a climate of fear/mistrust. Marginalizing Muslims and ethnics. Mandatory acceptance of ‘British Values’” one online commentator tweeted.
The social media hullabaloo led the Buxton School’s executive head teacher to publish a statement to calm apprehensive parents. The letter explained that the exam was part of the Building Resilience through Integration & Trust (BRIT) project, a voluntary pilot program for schools in the area paid for by the European Commission.
“As parents you will be well aware of our inclusive ethos and be surprised that this project, aimed at developing a cohesive community, has been misunderstood,” the letter read.
The real intent of the programme remains unclear. The text of the program’s website has been altered since the news of the test first broke according to the Telegraph. The project’s original stated purpose was reportedly “to identify the initial seeds of radicalization with children of primary school age,” but has since been deleted.
Read:Australia to introduce counter-terrorism citizenship changes
“The consequences of social exclusion, radicalisation and violent extremism are far reaching and are apparent in today’s society in many forms,” the website read. The Local Authority did not return requests from Think Progress to explain why the language was changed.
While only three faiths are listed on the questionnaire, the local authority that oversees the project insisted it is ‘in no way directed at pupils of any particular faith.’
“We’re glad that this has sparked a debate as our aim is to encourage people to talk about the importance of cohesion at all ages,” the statement read. “Whilst the program is not designed to focus on controversial issues, it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics or conversations; when they are raised by the children themselves, indeed the very nature of this program is to encourage conversation and openness.”
Others aren’t so sure. Massoud Shadjareh, chair of the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), said in a press release the test was “clearly racist and Islamophobic,” arguing that “there would be uproar if they had mentioned ‘Jew’ or ‘black’ in the identity question.”
IHRC also expressed concerns that the questionnaire may be a part of the UK’s anti-extremism efforts
IHRC also expressed concerns the questionnaire is part of the UK’s larger anti-extremism efforts such as The Counter Terrorism and Security Act, a controversial law enacted in February that aims to counter domestic threats.
The act has received extensive criticism for potentially allowing the government to restrict citizens’ rights. Section 5 of the legislation specifically has caused tumult among teachers and professors; which requires schools to find ways to prevent students being drawn into terrorism.
“The Counter Terrorism and Security Act puts a responsibility on schools to prevent youngsters falling into the clutches of extremist groups,” IHRC’s statement read. “The government has made it clear that schools will also have to actively promote ‘British values’ and will be judged by the schools’ watchdog Ofsted [Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills] on how well they teach them.”
The article originally appeared on THINK PROGRESS