How colleges can help to combat terrorism

What should education establishments be doing to fight terrorism?

The government would respond that it's a role we should all be playing and that making an effort to prevent terrorism comes under its community cohesion and safeguarding agenda. In July 2007, the Department for Children, Schools and Families published guidance for schools on their duty to promote community cohesion. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is now consulting on guidance for further education (FE) providers.

And what does it say?

The government believes the FE sector needs to embody values such as openness, free debate and tolerance by encouraging discussion and helping people manage disagreements. In fact, the paper is very practical in offering a number of suggestions to assist FE colleges to promote shared values, break down segregation, ensure safety and provide support to students. But it also declares that, while colleges have to manage a number of divisive issues involving different political beliefs, sexualities, religious bigotry and animal rights, their primary concern should be violent extremism and, specifically, terrorism influenced by al-Qaida.