El exceso de seguridad en los campus en respuesta a las tramas de ataque escolar puede llevar a la normalización del miedo, dicen los expertos

Singapore's education sector faces growing scrutiny over its increasing reliance on physical security measures in response to threats of school-based attacks. Experts warn that while heightened campus security may offer temporary reassurance, it risks fostering a culture of fear among students, undermining the very trust and openness necessary to counter radicalisation effectively. The revelations came after the Internal Security Department (ISD) announced the detention of three teenagers, two of whom were planning school attacks, who had been self-radicalised online. One 14-year-old, who had drafted a detailed 21-page manifesto outlining his attack plan, was arrested weeks before he intended to act. Authorities described the incident as a “close shave.” The arrests underscored the evolving nature of security threats, which now include individuals influenced by online extremist material. Associate Professor Razwana Begum, head of global security and strategy at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, emphasized the importance of maintaining schools as both secure and trusting environments. She warned against creating spaces that mirror high-security facilities unless the threat level clearly demands it. “Schools must remain places where students feel safe, but also where they continue to feel trusted,” she said. Physical security, she argued, should complement, not replace, the broader efforts of cultivating resilient, connected communities. Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder of the non-profit organisation The Whitehatters, echoed similar concerns. While acknowledging the necessity of robust security plans, she cautioned against transforming schools into heavily fortified zones. “If students have to walk through metal detectors every morning, that inevitably changes how they experience school,” she explained. “It subtly sends the message that school is a place where danger is expected rather than the exception.” Both experts stressed the critical role of early intervention within the school community. Ms Shahrany highlighted that students often detect changes in their peers long before adults do, and teachers, spending extensive time with students, are uniquely positioned to identify warning signs. In the case of the 14-year-old, a school staff member had noticed his radicalisation and informed the authorities. “They can intervene and make a real difference long before security measures ever come into play,” she added. Senior Minister K Shanmugam reiterated the government’s commitment to balancing security with the freedom of movement. “You can’t turn every school into a garrison,” he stated, underscoring the need for a nuanced approach that preserves the educational mission of schools. Experts acknowledged that Singapore’s current strategies for identifying and deterring self-radicalisation have yielded positive results. However, they also pointed to the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies and methods of influence. Assoc Prof Razwana noted that while the identification of potential attackers before they acted is a sign of effective systems, the threat landscape is becoming more intricate. “Young people today are exposed to AI-generated content, immersive gaming environments, encrypted platforms and increasingly sophisticated social media algorithms,” she observed. Professor Rohan Gunaratna of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies further elaborated on the complexities of modern radicalisation. He suggested that traditional approaches to countering extremism may no longer suffice, given the digital tools and environments that facilitate radicalisation. “We must adapt our strategies to address the new realities of online influence and ideological exposure,” he said. As authorities continue to refine their responses, the debate over the appropriate balance between security and student well-being remains ongoing. With technology reshaping the ways in which young people engage with information, the challenge of safeguarding schools from radicalisation will likely evolve alongside these changes.