LONDON, May 15: British culture and traditions could be compulsory subjects in secondary schools to help better integrate the nation’s 1.59 million Muslims into society, the government announced on Monday. Speaking at a London university, Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said a better understanding of British values was crucial following the July 7 bombings.

He announced a six-month review to study how pupils in the high schools could be given a stronger sense of British identity through citizenship classes.

It will consider the idea of providing compulsory lessons to 11- to 16-year-olds about core values about issues such as free speech, democracy, the contributions of different communities to the country and Britain’s importance to world culture.

“Education can be the engine for creating a more united and cohesive society in Britain,” said Mr Rammell at London South Bank University.

“Where there is discrimination against Muslims in our society, there is a role in education in fighting it,” he said. “Likewise, if extremists at the fringes of Muslim opinion excuse or encourage acts of terror, then again there is a role for education in addressing this.”

Mr Rammell recalled how he had spent the past nine months touring university campuses, speaking to Muslim students and lecturers about education and their experiences in the aftermath of July 7.

“The vibrant, diverse communities we have in Britain are a cause for celebration, but that is no barrier to developing a stronger sense of understanding, purpose and values in Britain,” he said.

“We need to embed greater understanding of our values and what our society expects from all its citizens,” he said.

Boris Johnson, higher education spokesman for the Conservative Party, welcomed Mr Rammell’s remarks. “There is nothing exclusive or divisive in pointing out the fantastic achievements of the British people,” he said.

But Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, expressed caution.—AFP