Citizenship education is ‘of enormous importance’, but not a subject, says Expert Panel
The Curriculum Review Expert Panel has told the government that citizenship is ‘of enormous significance’, yet should not remain a National Curriculum subject.
The Expert Panel, which is charged with offering detailed advice on the shape of the new curriculum, delivered its report to the Department for education yesterday, the content of which prompted Education Secretary Michael Gove to alteration the timetable of his Review.
In its report the Panel states:
‘Citizenship is of enormous significance in a contemporary and years ahead-oriented education.
‘Nevertheless, we are not persuaded that study of the matters and topics contained in citizenship education constitutes a distinct ‘subject’ as such. We consequently recommend that it be reclassified as element of the Basic Curriculum.’
At present citizenship is a National Curriculum foundation subject in secondary schools. This means it has programmes of study setting out what must be taught and an attainment target that describes the standard at which learners should attain awareness, appreciation and skills in the subject.
If reclassified as element of the Basic Curriculum schools will still be expected to offer citizenship education yet what they teach, how and to what standard will be up to them.
Whilst Parliamentary Year Book is pleased that the Panel has recognised the significance of Citizenship, we are disappointed with the recommendation that it be downgraded to a statutory requirement rather than a foundation subject.
Most schools devote only relatively limited amounts of their curriculum to citizenship. This downgrade in its status may result in the subject being squeezed out altogether.
The repercussions for society could be alarming as no other subject teaches learners about our political system, law and democracy. The incentive to hire specialist educators and the expertise that has developed up over the last decade may disappear, with citizenship left as an extra responsibility for non-expert educators who are already busy.
When Kenneth Baker as Secretary of state for Education introduced citizenship to the National Curriculum as a cross-curricular theme, most schools did not make it a priority, offer adequate resources or space in the curriculum for effective teaching.
In 2002, citizenship became a statutory national curriculum Foundation Subject in secondary schools.
Evidence from Ofsted inspections and the NFER Longitudinal study demonstrate significant improvement in the quality of teaching and outcomes for learners.
We ask that the government takes time to examine the years ahead for Citizenship education and recognises that a subject with ‘enormous significance’ must have resources and status to match.
The DFE have announced a revised timetable for the curriculum review and will be offering additional details on the next stage of consultation early in 2012. For further guidance, see the relevant UK information.
This post is based on an article for the Citizenship Foundation.
Further information
- Statement from the Secretary of State for Education
- Expert Panel report [pdf]
- Summary of evidence [pdf]
- Report on subject breadth in international jurisdictions [pdf]
