Government will consider implementing a specific programme to prevent possible recruitment of students by the terrorist group Islamic State in Syria (Isis). So said Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis.
Speaking to reporters, yesterday, after attending a function at Naparima College, San Fernando, Francis said the recruitment of nationals by Isis was under the scrutiny of the Ministry of National Security.
Asked whether the Ministry of Education had a plan in place to stem recruitment at schools, Francis said, “At schools we are also going to be asking our principals to take note about the kinds of people who come into the compound and what influence they could have on students.”
He added, “The Ministry of National Security will be monitoring anyone who comes back, who we assume has been with Isis and we will be ensuring that they don’t have influence with our young people.”
Asked to elaborate, Francis said it is difficult to stop influence.
“There are many ways a student can be influenced. What we need to do is ensure that institutions provide a mantra to students that is stronger than anything that Isis could get to influence our students.” He further explained, “There are so many ways to spread influence but everyone including the parents, State and schools will have to ensure that we provide something that is able to capture the minds of our young people rather than what is being promoted by any radical movement.” Lovell agreed that there might be a need to roll out a programme geared specifically at stopping Isis influence.
“We will have to look at this which is a matter also for national security,” Francis added.
He also said the Government was still assessing the laptop programme. He added that while resources are important, nothing should supersede good teaching.
Lovell also said the ministry was concerned about those teachers who hold extra lessons outside the classrooms and fail to deliver in the schools. He explained that discussions will be held with the T&T Unified Teachers Association and other stakeholders about this matter.
Last month, allegations arose that Isis elements were recruiting students at a secondary school in Chaguanas which has a population of 90 teachers and 900 students.
Sources said an Isis sleeper cell was operating out of the school and that several students of Form Four were recruited.
School officials said the Ministry of National Security and Special Branch were alerted to this information in September 2015.
The ministry later increased MTS personnel and a total of 24 students were removed from the school.