Study cites 33 ‘reasons’ for extremism in schools

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Level of influence on friends said highest

KUWAIT CITY, March 17: A study of the causes of extremism in secondary schools summarized 33 reasons, the highest of which was the level of influence on friends, reports Al-Rai daily. It came first with 77.6%, followed by the lack of educational conferences and lectures, followed by the low educational role of some teachers and the weak implementation of school programs and projects.

The implementation of school rules and regulations, the low level role of mosques in dealing with extremism, the failure of schools to satisfy the needs (activities) of students, the lack of dialogue between teacher and student, and the lack of implementation of programs that support national activity. The study, which was prepared by the social services team in the Jahra Educational District under the supervision of the social and psychological services Youssef Marikhan, included a random sample of Jahra secondary schools involving 689 students, 225 educators and 208 parents.

Causes
Some other causes of extremism in secondary schools include leisure time, the lack of social groups to meet the needs of students, the fascination with other cultures, the over-dependence, the absence of positive dialogue within the family, the inability to define goals and the erroneous understanding of the teachings of religion. The study involved 44.4% male students and 55.56% female of which 67.77% were Kuwaitis and 32.22% non- Kuwaiti.

Some of the additional causes of extremism were the lack of educational programs, the lack of adaptability to the school community, inferiority complex, isolation from others, the inability to agree with the new variables, and the family’s lack of satisfaction of the material needs of the children, the sense of injustice, the sense of lack and low cultural level, the low level of education and the sense of isolation from others. The study with a group of educators focused on the main consequences of the emergence of extremism among high school students, including the spread of violence and social deviations, the destruction of government institutions, hardening of opinions, fear and insecurity in society, isolation from others, non-adherence to the teachings of religion and lack of respect for customs and traditions, and increase in social and psychological problems, especially depression.

The study also revealed the existence of a range of effects that may be caused by the problem of extremism, the most important of which is the rejection of dissenting ideology and the attempt to impose opinion, the spread of extremist ideas, poor relationship between students and teachers, the rejection of the extremist students, the rejection of certain curricula, hindering the process of development and introducing new laws that may limit freedoms, in addition to the imbalance and tension in the relations within the family and the refusal to participate in school activities and attract others to extremist thought, withdrawal from the student community and security instability.

The study reached some suggestions that have a role in facing the problem of extremism of some high school students, which is to invest the energies of young people in useful works, activate the role of mosques in spreading the thought of moderation and family interest in following up children. The media in spreading the curriculum of moderation and activating the role of youth centers and clubs in addressing the problem, in addition to allowing enough space for dialogue between the student and teacher and curtail the media role that leads to violence, satisfying the material and moral need of children, (79.72%), setting up educational programs to control extremist thought, and resorting to specialized institutions to discuss ideas.

The study also proposed issuing a draft resolution from the Ministry of Education to establish a social group in each school bearing the name and logo of moderation and loyalty and a decision to establish an awareness group on the dangers of extremist thought and behavior.

This news has been read 13629 times!