Survey claims anti-Islamic bigotry exists in British schools

John von Radowitz:

Evidence of simmering racism in Britain’s schools has emerged from a study of teenagers’ attitudes towards Muslims and right wing groups, it was revealed today.

Researchers who questioned more than 1,500 non-Muslim adolescents aged 13 to 24 found more than 9% supported the ultra-right wing views of the British National Party.

Their attitudes towards Muslims had also hardened considerably since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, and the invasion of Iraq.

Twenty-three per cent of boys and 14% of girls said they had developed a “much worse” opinion of Muslims since September 11 2001.

The view of Muslims of 18% of boys and 12% of girls had worsened since the invasion of Iraq. Twelve per cent of boys and 6% of girls said it had become “much worse” since the war.

In addition 23% of boys and 10% of girls said they would object if Muslim girls wore headscarves to school.

The study, carried out at 15 schools in and around the city of York, also included six Muslim pupils.

Of these, 8.4% had heard verbal victimisation of Muslims in school and 2.4% had witnessed physical assaults.

The findings were presented today at the British Psychological Society’s annual conference at the University of Manchester.

Researcher Nathalie Noret, from St John’s College in York, said the younger children aged 13 to 15 were the most likely to agree with the views of the BNP.

Maybe the negative attitude towards Muslims has nothing to do with "racism" but with the inability of many Muslims to assimilate into non-Islamic societies?