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Schools 'must teach Britishness' Schools 'must teach Britishness'
(20 minutes later)
Schools in England should teach "core British values" alongside cultural diversity, a report says.Schools in England should teach "core British values" alongside cultural diversity, a report says.
A review of how schools teach citizenship found there was not enough emphasis on UK identity and history.A review of how schools teach citizenship found there was not enough emphasis on UK identity and history.
The report, by Sir Keith Ajegbo, says pupils should study free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights.The report, by Sir Keith Ajegbo, says pupils should study free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said schools should "play a leading role in creating community cohesion".Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said schools should "play a leading role in creating community cohesion".
He comissioned the review in the wake of the London bombings. Ministers see schools as a key place to promote understanding between communities and to combat intolerance and religious extremism.He comissioned the review in the wake of the London bombings. Ministers see schools as a key place to promote understanding between communities and to combat intolerance and religious extremism.
Welcoming the report, Mr Johnson announced it would become compulsory for secondary school pupils up to the age of 16 to learn about shared values and life in the UK in their citizenship lessons.Welcoming the report, Mr Johnson announced it would become compulsory for secondary school pupils up to the age of 16 to learn about shared values and life in the UK in their citizenship lessons.
British valuesBritish values
He said youngsters should be encouraged to think critically about issues of race, ethnicity and religion with "an explicit link" to current political debates, the news and a sense of British values.He said youngsters should be encouraged to think critically about issues of race, ethnicity and religion with "an explicit link" to current political debates, the news and a sense of British values.
Understanding the make up of the UK and the recent history of Britain was crucial, he said.Understanding the make up of the UK and the recent history of Britain was crucial, he said.
New topics for citizenship ImmigrationSlavery British Empire's legacyThe European UnionRule of lawDemocracyEquality
"More can be done to strengthen the curriculum so that pupils are taught more explicitly about why British values of tolerance and respect prevail in society and how our national, regional, religious and ethnic identities have developed over time," he said."More can be done to strengthen the curriculum so that pupils are taught more explicitly about why British values of tolerance and respect prevail in society and how our national, regional, religious and ethnic identities have developed over time," he said.
"I believe that schools can and should play a leading role in creating greater community cohesion. The values our children learn at school will shape the kind of country Britain becomes.""I believe that schools can and should play a leading role in creating greater community cohesion. The values our children learn at school will shape the kind of country Britain becomes."
The values our children learn at school will shape the kind of country Britain becomes Alan Johnson, Education Secretary
Sir Keith Ajegbo, a former head teacher of a London school and Home Office adviser, was asked to look at how "citizenship" and "diversity" was being taught in schools.Sir Keith Ajegbo, a former head teacher of a London school and Home Office adviser, was asked to look at how "citizenship" and "diversity" was being taught in schools.
Citizenship became compulsory in England's secondary schools in 2002.Citizenship became compulsory in England's secondary schools in 2002.
His report says more could be done to ensure children "explore, discuss and debate their identities within their citizenship lessons".His report says more could be done to ensure children "explore, discuss and debate their identities within their citizenship lessons".
The values our children learn at school will shape the kind of country Britain becomes Alan Johnson, Education Secretary
Sir Keith said: "Britain is committed to the values of free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights. They are things that are fundamental to our society."Sir Keith said: "Britain is committed to the values of free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights. They are things that are fundamental to our society."
He suggested that schools should be prepared to tackle controversial topics in the news such as the debate over immigration, and the UK's place in the European Union as well as the legacy of the British Empire.He suggested that schools should be prepared to tackle controversial topics in the news such as the debate over immigration, and the UK's place in the European Union as well as the legacy of the British Empire.
He said: "It is the duty of all schools to address issues of `how we live together' and `dealing with difference', however difficult or controversial they may seem".He said: "It is the duty of all schools to address issues of `how we live together' and `dealing with difference', however difficult or controversial they may seem".
It makes no sense in our report to focus on minority ethnic pupils without trying to address and understand the issues for white pupils Sir Keith Ajegbo, government adviser
Where could pupils bring those difficult questions if not to school, he asked.Where could pupils bring those difficult questions if not to school, he asked.
Sir Keith's report also says more needs to be done to engage white, working-class pupils with the issue of diversity.Sir Keith's report also says more needs to be done to engage white, working-class pupils with the issue of diversity.
It says white pupils can feel disenfranchised as much as pupils from other ethnic backgrounds.It says white pupils can feel disenfranchised as much as pupils from other ethnic backgrounds.
"Many indigenous white pupils have negative perceptions of their own identity," it says."Many indigenous white pupils have negative perceptions of their own identity," it says.
SlaverySlavery
The new element for citizenship lessons will be called "Identity and Diversity: Living together in the UK" .The new element for citizenship lessons will be called "Identity and Diversity: Living together in the UK" .
British history will be essential to it, said Sir Keith. At the moment, history is optional after the age of 14.British history will be essential to it, said Sir Keith. At the moment, history is optional after the age of 14.
HAVE YOUR SAY How dare they try to teach Britishness in only English schools! Chris Davies, Amersham Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY How dare they try to teach Britishness in only English schools! Chris Davies, Amersham Send us your comments
The three existing planks of citizenship lessons are social and moral responsibility, communtiy involvement and political literacy.The three existing planks of citizenship lessons are social and moral responsibility, communtiy involvement and political literacy.
Schools can give distinct lessons on the subject or introduce elements of it in various lessons. The report said it was best taught as a separate subject.Schools can give distinct lessons on the subject or introduce elements of it in various lessons. The report said it was best taught as a separate subject.
Sir Keith said citizenship lessons had been introduced as a response to political apathy but it was now time to broaden their remit.Sir Keith said citizenship lessons had been introduced as a response to political apathy but it was now time to broaden their remit.
Last year schools inspectors Ofsted said the subject was taught badly in one in four schools in England.Last year schools inspectors Ofsted said the subject was taught badly in one in four schools in England.