Schools key to tackling extremism

Ed Balls says schools have a "key role" in tackling extremism

Schools can play a key role in helping young people reject extremism, Schools Secretary Ed Balls has said.

Mr Balls was at the Cheney School in Oxford to launch a scheme which aims to prevent pupils in England being drawn to violent extremism and terrorism.

The Learning Together to be Safe Toolkit provides school staff with guidelines to help them discuss the issues surrounding extremist views.

Mr Balls said the kit was a response to a call from schools for support.

"Dealing with violent extremism is nothing new for the UK and we have learnt from past experience that a security response is not enough," he said.

"We need to address the underlying issues that can drive people into the hands of violent extremist groups and encourage local communities to come together to expose the flaws in extremists' arguments."

He said the toolkit would allow schools to contribute to the prevention of violent extremism by giving pupils the knowledge and skills to challenge and debate.

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