Cameron pledges to combat Islamism in schools

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : May 04 2014 | 7:00 PM IST
British Prime Minister David Cameron has waded into a controversy over the alleged Islamist extremism spreading across the schools in UK.
"I am hugely concerned about the allegations. I don't want to see Islamist entryism, into our schools. That is a very worrying development," Cameron said.
"We will not have extremism, entryism, Islamism in our schools," he said on "Birmingham Free Radio".
The Prime Minister's comments came as the chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, put the finishing touches to a damning letter accompanying emergency inspection reports into 21 Birmingham schools.
According to 'The Sunday Times', which had first exposed the so-called 'Operation Trojan Horse' to infiltrate Britain's schools back in March, Wilshaw is understood to be "deeply concerned" by the inspector's findings.
He will call for changes to the rules for appointing and monitoring school governors nationwide, a source told the newspaper.
The UK's schools inspectorate OFSTED's reports, which were due to be published this week, have been delayed until June, after inspectors were asked to investigate three more primary schools in Birmingham.
All the reports will be sent to Michael Gove, the education secretary, next month along with a letter from Wilshaw outlining the problems that have been found.
Gove had faced criticism after he appointed a counter-terrorism expert, Peter Clarke, to look into the claims of "Trojan Horse" plot last month.
It is understood that Gove will also order OFSTED to carry out inspections in schools around Bradford, West Yorkshire, widening the investigation.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 04 2014 | 7:00 PM IST

Next Story