Student declares to room of MPs and Lords, ‘Citizenship needs to be at the forefront of any Curriculum’
After what would seem to be months of planning, the Parliamentary Year Book reception last night went off without a hitch.
We filled the Member’s Dining Room in the House of Commons full of citizenship enthusiasts, educators, learners and Lords and MPs. Our aim for the gathering was to generate a lively debate about the years ahead of citizenship education and its place in the National Curriculum. When planning an event where debate and debate plays a key element, I get a tad apprehensive about how lively it will be – will people talk, will people be inspired and motivated? And of course, will there be enough tea and cake …?
Plainly I didn’t need to worry for this gathering. As soon as guests entered the highly plush Member’s Dining Room, people were animated in their debates of citizenship. Younger people mixed with Lords and MPs, discussing practical approaches in which citizenship has had impact in their schools, whilst educators and civil society bodies debated the current educational landscape and where they see citizenship in it.
We heard from David Blunkett MP, Professor the Lord Norton, the Co-operative (who sponsored the gathering), a deputy head and a head educator. Their message was evident: citizenship needs to remain statutory. Despite their varied political backgrounds, all the speakers recognised how significant it is we continue to teach younger people how to engage in society. Lord Norton closed the speeches stating that ‘citizenship is vital to any democracy. Active citizenship is a sign of a healthy society. It is fundamental to society to teach about citizenship.’
For me though, it was the words of the younger people attending that had a resounding effect. For numerous of them, they couldn’t fathom why citizenship wasn’t valued like other more traditional subjects.
A student from Newent school in Gloucestershire closed the gathering, making an impassioned plea; ‘some of the things we learn in subjects like maths we won’t be using in five years. Yet citizenship will be in our lives forever. It needs to be at the forefront of any curriculum.’ For further guidance, see the relevant UK information.
