National Curriculum - Citizenship

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...the origins and implications of the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom and the need for mutual respect and understanding

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...to think about the lives of people living in other places and times, and people with different values and customs

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...to realise the nature and consequences of racism and challenge stereotypes

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...that differences and similarities between people arise from a number of factors, including cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversity, gender and disability

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...consider social and moral dilemmas that they come across in life [for example, encouraging respect and understanding between different races and dealing with harassment]

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...to identify and respect the differences and similarities between people

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Living in a diverse world: In this unit, children learn about their identities and communities and about different places in the world. Through a range of activities, they explore sameness, difference and diversity. They learn that, as humans, we are all equal, have basic needs and rights, and belong to a range of groups and communities, including school and family. Children learn about the importance of respecting each other, and that it is wrong to abuse people for any reason, including their race.

[Rep]

I can't see a problem with any of those particularly; it looks like they are teaching kids about respect for other people. My only concern is that it keeps mentioning "race". I don't see why this needs to be an issue at all, although not knowing enough about how the course is taught in practice, I will withhold judgement.

[Rep]

I think the problem in the main is that our beleif systems are being undermined. A lot of what is in PSHE is not true, quite frankly. Most of it is Politically correct non-sense that undermines Christian values.

Perhaps it's time to evaluate the value of such a "subject". Let's face it, we live in a "mulit-cultural" society that simply has too many different beliefs and views to have any coherant PSHE curriculum that doesn't offend someone, therefore just ditch the bloody thing.

After all, muslims and sikhs may be excused from PSHE, which is wrong as it is discriminatory, why are they allowed to skip this subject? Becuase it is against there beleifs.

But all to often the stuff is against the traditional British view as well.

#So I say - ditch it. Put all the information in libraries and on websites but don't force it on people.

[Rep]

Originally Posted by :
After all, muslims and sikhs may be excused from PSHE, which is wrong as it is discriminatory, why are they allowed to skip this subject? Becuase it is against there beleifs.

I'm with Anthony, most of this is just good sense which needs to be taught in schools - lets face it, a lot of parents don't do it, sunday schools have very low attendanceand attendance at Guides/scouts is diminishing and being tainted by the political correctness lobby.

I do have a problem with exclusion from this course on the grounds of religion though. Can we confirm that they are excused the whole subject not just the bits that may offend (apparently!)

[Rep]

Usually it is just the bits that may offend. But it goes deeper. Is this the kind of society we want?

Do we want a society where schools need to teach these things? Faith and religion and some common sense may be a better place to start imbuing the youth with some idea of responsibility.

[Rep]

...and yet something like a third of 11-year-olds are illiterate. Good to know that we're teaching them the important stuff.

[Rep]

Originally Posted by John Carter:
...and yet something like a third of 11-year-olds are illiterate. Good to know that we're teaching them the important stuff.

...and with the time spared by scrapping PSHE we could have an extra english lesson per week.

[Rep]

The exclusion, if true, is completely wrong. Every child should be taught the same lesson regardless of what their parents believe. Treating children differently just reinforces the differences, rather than improving relations.

However, I am very supportive of the idea of citizenship lessons, especially for the illiterate kids.

We frequently complain about youth behaviour and the lack of consideration and respect for others, and this is one possible (partial) solution.

I don't want any British children to be taught Catholic or Protestant values any more than I would want them to be taught Muslim values. I would much rather have them taught caring and responsible values without religion. Britain is no longer a Christian country, and the agnostics, atheists and don't-cares clearly outnumber the religious believers in this country.

That doesn't by any means suggest that they shouldn't be taught about British traditions, values, history and so on in a positive manner. However, I don't believe that the state has any business indoctrinating our children INTO phpbb_any religion. I think that this process of "de-faithing" schools is well under way.

[Rep]