LYNDSAY MOOS
Der Scotsman

KINDER konnten die Schulelektionen empfangen, die sie für einen Terroristangriff als Teil der Richtlinien vorbereiten, die in Schottland sich entwickelt wurden.

Die Anleitung konnte zu Fernsehapparat die pädagogischen Kampagnen auch führen, welche die öffentlichkeit was, von einem chemischen, biologischen oder Kernangriff im Falle zu erwarten informieren.

Und Bereitschaftsdienstarbeitern werden auch Spezialanweisung erteilt, da sie die ersten sein würden, zum auf Angriffe zu reagieren.

Terrorism experts yesterday welcomed the idea, but said lessons would be best confined to children over the age of 14.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ conference in Edinburgh yesterday heard about work in Scotland to prepare people for attacks so they are more mentally able to cope with them without causing mass panic.

Professor David Alexander, of the Aberdeen centre for trauma research, and Professor Richard Williams, of the University of Glamorgan, have been commissioned by NATO and the Department of Health in London to develop guidance on preparing the public for a terrorist attack.

They will examine evidence from around the world and learn from previous attacks.

Prof Alexander said the guidance could lead to school lessons being developed to teach children about terrorism, so they were better able to cope in the event of an attack.

Similar sessions could be held in businesses that may be a target for terrorists. Another possibility would be a TV advertising campaign to educate the public about what to expect.

Prof Alexander, who led the psychiatric team which first responded to the Piper Alpha oil platform disaster in 1988, said the focus would be on preparing for a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack.

He added: “The security services believe such an attack will come. We are trying to develop guidelines on the best way to keep the public resilient.”

Prof Alexander said it was important that all age groups were informed about terrorism, but that people should not become “risk obsessed”. He added: “It would be a mistake to leave children thinking about this as some kind of mystery. But we have to inform them in a way that does not cause alarm.”

But Professor Paul Wilkinson, from the centre for the study of terrorism at St Andrews University, said:

“It is sensible to inform young people about terrorism. I think this is best directed at pupils [over the age of 14] in secondary school when they will have a better understanding of modern history and events.”

And Eric Wilkinson, professor of education at Glasgow University, said:

“It would be a delicate balance between scaremongering and making sure children are equipped to cope in a crisis.”

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: “Schools are free to explore these issues if they feel it is right for their pupils.”

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