Kids to be taught Britishness

Lessons on Britishness are set to be on the agenda for teenagers in England.Education Secretary Alan Johnson is worried that children are not being taught enough about core values in our society.It means citizenship classes, compulsory since 2002, could be expanded.Mr Johnson said schools dominated by white pupils should do more to foster good community relations and improve children's understanding of diversity.But he will stress that problems stretch beyond ethnic minority pupils as many working class white children also have negative views about their British identity.The proposals follow a major report from former headteacher Sir Keith Ajegbo, who was asked by ministers to review compulsory citizenship lessons in schools.Ofsted inspectors have warned that citizenship is often poorly taught.Sir Keith's report says citizenship lessons do not place enough emphasis on British identity, and need to focus on helping white pupils as well as those from ethnic minorities."It makes no sense in our report to focus on minority ethnic pupils without trying to address and understand the issues for white pupils," claims the report."It is these white pupils whose attitudes are overwhelmingly important in creating community cohesion."Nor is there any advantage in creating confidence in minority ethnic pupils if it leaves white pupils feeling disenfranchised and resentful."Many indigenous white pupils have negative perceptions of their own identity. White children in areas where the ethnic composition is mixed can often suffer labelling and discrimination."They can feel beleaguered and marginalised, finding their own identities under threat as much as minority ethnic children might not have theirs recognised."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

ITN | January 25, 2007

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