Survey of teachers shows concern over Prevent

Teachers have claimed the Prevent strategy is stigmatising pupils and harming efforts at inclusion.  In surveys conducted by the universities of Coventry, Durham and Huddersfield, staff at schools and colleges said they were worried Prevent was stigmatising Muslim students and stopping them from speaking out about concerns over extremism. Those genuinely at risk of radicalisation are therefore unlikely to be spotted.

Dr. Joel Busher from Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations claimed the emphasis on ‘British values’ as a strand of the programme was problematic and exclusive. The team behind the study claimed an urgent review is needed into how Prevent has affected the well-being of students. Although many examples also existed of schools and colleges having set up debates around Prevent, limiting some of the fears about the scheme’s ability to clamp down on free speech, concerns still exist over how the scheme may backfire and alienate many Muslim students.

“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,” Busher said.