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.
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".
He commissioned 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.
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.
"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."
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.
His report says more could be done to ensure children "explore, discuss and debate their identities within their citizenship lessons".
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 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".
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.
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.
Slavery
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.
The three existing planks of citizenship lessons are social and moral responsibility, community 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.
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.
Nick Johnson, from the Commission for Racial Equality welcomed the report: "Certain values may be universal, but their application through our history is unique to these islands," he said.
"Britishness does not need to be dominant and certainly not a domineering identity, but it must be a significant common facet that we all can share.
"As such it is a key component in developing greater ties that can bind society together."
Shadow education secretary David Willetts said: "Grounding citizenship on the teaching of British history is crucial.
"We believe citizenship shouldn't just be taught in the abstract but linked very closely to narrative British history."
Teachers' representatives at the NASUWT said they shared the government's aim of promoting equality and diversity.
But they also warned that it might be difficult to add the new themes to an already-crowded curriculum.
Alison Johnston, from the Professional Association of Teachers, said: "It would not be appropriate to promote an imperial British myth by teaching that values such as democracy, justice and fair play are exclusively British or implying that Britain is superior to other countries."
"I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.
At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.
The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.
We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old."
"I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.
At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.
The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.
We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old."
:confused:
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist
People should learn the history of the country they live in.
They should also learn the history of how their country has affected others, and learn about other countries. A good grasp of history can make a well-rounded individual.
People should learn the history of the country they live in.
They should also learn the history of how their country has affected others, and learn about other countries. A good grasp of history can make a well-rounded individual.
isn't that what history lessons are for?
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist
As an American there are plenty of reasons for me to "hate" Britain if I was so inclined, but history is history, and now the U.S. and the U.K. are loyal allies. The British did burn down the White House once...:rant: The British Empire made alot of mistakes in its colonialism, but it also brought about alot of progress and positive change. Sometimes it is good to stand back and look at things from a broader perspective.
Of course the history of the British Empire is only one element to being British. The Industrial Revolution had its start in Great Britain. The way the country stood firm in the face of Hitler's war machine. Winston Churchill is one of my favorite leaders in world history. There is much to be proud of in British history, and there are always chapters a nation would like to forget.
i assume your not referring to old whinstons little idea of dropping gas bombs on the kurds a few decades before saddam even thought up the idea?
i assume your not referring to old whinstons little idea of dropping gas bombs on the kurds a few decades before saddam even thought up the idea?
I assume you are referring to the memo which ponders the possibility of using gas to stop a rebellion? Not his grandest idea obviously, but it didn't occur.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
To teach more about British history, culture, and the important institutions.
Well everyone studies british history in school.
Now british culture is a funny term. People practically live in such a country surrounded by "british culture" (lol), if they did not get it they must be blind.
What important institution?
i find it strange that muslims also go along to such lessons, yes it is good to know how people think but surely some of them are secular minded and being influenced by this stuff.
I took Citizenship at GCSE and think it would be really useful if all schools made it a compulsory subject. Why? Well, at 16 you can learn about the Maths, Sciences, English, Languages, History and all the other subjects and at 16 you can also leave school and face the real world. Many students leave school not even knowing how the political system works and you expect them to vote the next leaders in. Citizenship gives the opportunity for students to learn about the political system and how exactly it works, laws which concern us all and our rights aswell as other major world wide issues and what affects they have on us. It helps student understand what it means to be British and give them a sound footing to go out into the world with.
muslims need to realise that the kuffar are frightened of us and our strength of faith, these lessons and talking of lack of integration is meant for us, it is us they are trying to change and we should not make it easy for them by sending our youth along to political and cultural indoctrination classes.
The lessons are far from indoctrinating. If they wanted to indoctrinate, the last thing they would do is explain exactly how the country is run and where people stand and the rights they are entitled to.
format_quote Originally Posted by Muezzin
People should learn the history of the country they live in.
They should also learn the history of how their country has affected others, and learn about other countries. A good grasp of history can make a well-rounded individual.
This "Britishness" thing is a result of British-born Islamic terrorists that have and are attempting to blow up Britain and its innocent civilians. There is no loyalty to this country or pride and that can even spread to the moderate muslims too. If there is no loyalty or pride then these British-born Islamic terrorists will not think twice to blow it up.
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