A handful of Fife school children feared to be at risk of radicalism have been reported to authorities, it has emerged.
The youngsters were identified by teachers who took part in training aimed at raising awareness of work being done to prevent people becoming terrorists.
A significant number of staff have taken part in the briefing sessions over the last two years, but very few children and young people have sparked concern.
Anyone suspected to be at risk is referred through child protection procedures for support, rather than punishment.
Fife Council’s approach has been praised, particularly in light of last month’s Manchester attack which specifically targeted young people enjoying a pop concert.
The education and children’s services directorate is a partner in the local strategy for countering terrorism, known as CONTEST.
One element of it is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and education, starting at primary school level, is seen as key.
The council’s Liberal Democrat leader Tim Brett had asked the administration what action it was taking to support the CONTEST strategy and, in particular, what steps had been taken to address the issue of Islamic extremism in schools.
He said that in the wake of recent terrorism incidents in Manchester and London, he had been reassured by the information given.
“I was informed that the education and children’s services directorate were partners in the local CONTEST strategy and work with several agencies, including Police Scotland, to stop terrorist attacks, to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting it, to strengthen protection against attack and to mitigate the effects of an attack should one occur,” he said.
“A key component is child protection, with the emphasis on support of the young person, rather than punishment.”
Mr Brett urged everyone to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious and added: “I hope this information will reassure the public in Fife that appropriate action is being taken.”
The council’s education convener, Councillor Fay Sinclair, said there was a good network of support across all teaching staff to ensure issues were picked up.
“It’s in a lot of our minds just now because of recent events and it’s right it’s in the minds of our schools as well, particularly following Manchester which targeted young people.”
Scottish guidance on radicalism
Schools can raise the issue of radicalism with pupils under the Curriculum for Excellence, according to guidance issued across Scotland.
Fife’s education service is revising its child protection policy to include a section on preventing terrorism to ensure teachers are fully aware of the risk to young people and the steps they should take if they are concerned.
In addition, all Fife schools will receive updates on the current terror threat level, along with UK-wide counter terrorism messages.
Elsewhere in the council, more than 1,000 officers completed counter-terrorism training within a month of it being launched online.
It includes information on how to deal with bomb threats, suspect packages, firearms and weapons as well as radicalisation.
A briefing circulated to all councillors said: “Fife Council have developed processes which ensure that any information relating to an individual at risk of being radicalised is escalated through appropriate channels and shared with local and national colleagues in Police Scotland.”
