Police taught Aberdeen school pupils more lessons on internet safety and the dangers of knives and other weapons than any other subject last year.
Children from primary six in the city are instructed by officers on the likes of alcohol and drug misuse, hate crime and online threats, according to a report to the council’s public protection committee.
North East Division has five full-time school liaison officers (SLOs) and three school based officers (SBOs).
The SBOs are dedicated to three academies in the city, Northfield, Lochside and St Machar, and their feeder primaries.
Some 442 lessons were given by officers to pupils in the school year 17/18.
Of those, 80 were on internet safety, an additional 49 on social media law and 79 on knife and other weapon crime.
Meanwhile nine were delivered on anti-social behaviour, 53 on drugs, 48 on alcohol and 14 on personal safety.
Pupils from first year to fourth year are taught about the dangers of sending intimate pictures, or ‘sexting’, and third year to sixth year pupils are told about general sexual offences.
Third year to sixth year pupils are also told about domestic abuse and family crimes.
The report to next Thursday’s committee reads: “For all age groups, these inputs are compliant with the curriculum for excellence and delivered in a manner consistent with modern teaching practices.
“Crucially, students are provided time to reflect on information delivered, ask questions and discuss examples of legislation in practice with peers and the SLO.
“Pupils place great importance on their individual rights within the law.
“The lesson plans and curriculum for excellence clearly identify that with rights come responsibilities.
“Through this form of lesson delivery, pupils begin to question pre-conceived notions of right and wrong and peer education and positive peer pressure can be used effectively as part of the learning process.”
