Measures to Tackle Youth Self-Radicalisation in Schools and Institutions

The Ministry of Education (MOE) takes a very serious view of youth self-radicalisation. Our schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) will continue to step up efforts to stay vigilant and respond to the threat of youth self-radicalisation.

Preventive and Educative Efforts on Counter-Radicalisation

2. In Social Studies and Secondary History, and Character and Citizenship Education (CCE), students learn about the negative impact of extreme ideas, prejudice and stereotypes, and explore how these can be addressed. Through teacher-facilitated inquiry and discussions, students consider the roles that individuals and groups can play in strengthening understanding and interactions across racial and religious groups, and how they can contribute to promoting harmony.

3. Cyber Wellness lessons in CCE teach students to be safe, respectful and responsible users of cyberspace, and to be a positive influence online. Students develop skills to recognise risks online, and identify and discern negative influences and inappropriate websites. Students are also taught to look out for one another and encouraged to seek help from trusted adults like parents, teachers or school counsellors.

4. Schools and teachers are also trained to identify students who may be at-risk of online self-radicalisation. For instance, school counsellors work closely with teachers and other school personnel to look out for students who may be at risk, so that timely intervention can be provided when concerns are identified. School leaders and teachers are also guided on prompt handling of such cases, including providing timely guidance and counselling so that issues can be addressed before they escalate to more serious levels.

5. Since 2007, MOE has partnered the Internal Security Department (ISD) to conduct counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation workshops and activities for student leaders, educators and other school staff across primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges and IHLs. These efforts sensitise participants to the terrorism threat, tell-tale signs of radicalisation, and the importance of early reporting.

Student Access to Online Content on Personal Learning Devices

6. For secondary school students who may access online content through their Personal Learning Devices (PLDs), MOE has installed a Device Management Application (DMA) on all PLDs as a default, to filter objectionable online material or content that may not be conducive to teaching and learning, including websites containing extremist content. Schools also have website filtering systems to restrict access via the school wireless network to inappropriate websites and content to ensure a safe online environment for students. These measures are continually reviewed and updated to keep pace with the evolving online landscape.

7. The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced today that it will use the Online Criminal Harms Act to block or restrict selected sites found to have contributed to past cases of radicalisation or have strong potential to do so. This will help to safeguard Singaporeans, especially children, from harmful content online. In addition, as students' internet use extends beyond school and their PLDs, parents and families also play an important role in monitoring their children's online activity at home and guiding them to navigate the online space safely and responsibly.

Strengthening School Preparedness Through Exercises

8. MOE has worked with schools and IHLs to conduct workshops, scenario-based discussions, drills and exercises on potential threats from outside and within the school. These sessions cover immediate response, recognising warning signs, incident reporting, and escalation, to strengthen emergency preparedness in schools. MOE will continue to enhance our emergency response to any new evolving threats.

9. Countering radicalisation requires a whole-of-society effort. Everyone – from parents, community, schools and students – has a role to play in keeping our young safe. MOE will continue to strengthen our efforts and work closely with ISD, community partners and parents to protect our students and educational institutions from the threat of youth radicalisation.