Supkem urges collaboration to tame radicalisation in schools

The Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims (SUPKEM) has called for a partnership between the council and Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to tame radicalisation and terror groups’ recruitment in schools.

SUPKEM Chairman Abdulghafur El-Busaidy said this is critical as learning institutions are increasingly being used by terrorist as recruitment centers amid a rise in global terror.

Busaidy also called for collaboration with the government for the introduction of the anti-terror lessons and activities in learning institutions saying the move will greatly improve the country’s security.

The SUPKEM chairman was speaking during an ongoing conference on violent extremism and radicalisation at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in Nairobi.

In November 2015 the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) announced it was targeting students and pupils in a campaign aimed at countering radicalisation in Murang’a County.

Speaking during a forum consisting of school principals and teachers on Monday, NCIC Vice Chair Irene Njeri said the commission had visited 12 counties, adding that the move is aimed at advising the youth not to fall into trap of radicalisation and terror groups.

The NCIC commissioner added that youth had been used to perpetrate violence between various communities and needed guidance to evade such vices.

Last year, reports emerged that the Commission for University Education (CUE) was pushing to make it mandatory for students to undergo a six-month industrial training course before they are awarded certificates at the university.

This is according to Deputy President William Ruto who said the government was putting more emphasis in the development of vocational training to meet the development needs of the country.

“The Commission for University Education is coming up with a framework that will ensure students are well prepared to compete effectively in the job market,” said Mr Ruto.