Dear Editor,

I am concerned to read a news report saying that the British government is funding a curriculum aimed at teaching children in Muslim religious schools how to steer clear of extremism. Quite rightly, some of the lessons are worrying teachers but not enough is being done to question this new education policy.

One lesson plan goes something like this: A group of Islamic extremists want to buy fertilizer that could be used to make a bomb. Should the shop keeper sell it to them? Another said, take Ahmad, whose friends want to attack a local supermarket in retaliation for the war in Iraq. Is it right for Ahmad to harm innocent Britons because their government invaded a Muslim country?

The curriculum's answer in both cases is no, but the fact that these scenarios are being considered at all is concerning because as a teacher, I do not feel they are appropriate for young students, and are very insulting to the thousands of law abiding Muslim citizens in the UK. Those behind this scheme need to re-think the concept and content of this curriculum as I fear that it could prove counterproductive. I personally will not be allowing my children to partake in this.

Mrs Nusrat Jamil (Teacher) Bradford