Comments for Democratic Life

Comment on Looking ahead: what does the future hold for citizenship education? by Karl Sweeney

Karl Sweeney — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:31:47 +0000

Hello
Overall – excellent . Like the clarity of presentation and the ditillation of all that is essential about good Cit Ed.
Two suggestions for you to consider:
1. Making a link in the document with the ‘SMSC’ and ‘Behaviour and Safety’ elements of the new Ofsted Framework
2. Making reference (in the Economic Understanding section) to the fact that most of the local, regional, national and global environmental challenges we face today originate in and are soluble through our economic activity as producers and consumers.
All the best and keep up the great work.
Karl Sweeney

Comment on Blunkett calls on Prime Minister to intervene on citizenship in the curriculum by Asher Jacobsberg

Asher Jacobsberg — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:13:23 +0000

Well, that’s hardly convincing from Cameron unfortunately. He also throws up the most simplistic argument in the book: it’s either reading and writing *or* citizenship and democracy. Schools can’t possibly teach more than two things, and young people certainly couldn’t learn more than two sets of skills at a time could they?

Comment on Parliament Week: Young People’s Question Time by Helmi

Helmi — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:25:28 +0000

Really enjoyed that evening! I’ve never really experienced anything like it, would love to do it again, must follow up on all the events popping up in the following months. It was all thanks to Democratic Life that I had even heard about Parliament Week, so thank you, thank you, thank you!

Comment on ‘Citizenship education matters,’ says Radio 1′s Reggie Yates by Ros Lucas, Education/Careers Consultant

Ros Lucas, Education/Careers Consultant — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:58:04 +0000

The curriculum is too full with insufficient time for all learners to consider, reflect and interrogate personal interests that relate to the world they will enter after compulsory education. It is probably possible with good planning that much of what is taught over 5 days could be condensed to three, giving two days to commit to extra curricular activities to include much of what the government is intending to cut out, as well as for voluntary work, political and social connections to be investigated and disucussed.

These areas should be part of learning how to manage their personal social development such as politics, business/commerce and career updates through investigating labour market information, both here and across the world.

Youngsters will then be in a better position to make decisions based on knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Comment on The recent rioting, looting and violence in English cities reinforces the case for strengthening Citizenship education in our schools by julie Brown

julie Brown — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:15:15 +0000

Agree absolutely. Never have the values reinforced by good citizenship teaching been more important to our society

Comment on Teach First citizenship teacher on ‘Why schools need citizenship’ by David

David — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:27:42 +0000

Democracy Must be Experienced to be Learned

There is much talk these days about the importance of teaching democratic values in our public schools. It appears that newspaper columnists, teachers’ unions, public organizations and other civic minded people have suddenly come to realize that our youth is growing up ignorant of, and uncommitted to, the great principles upon which our nation is based.

Although I fully agree that the problem exists, I am afraid that the proposed cure – more classes on democracy – is no better than the disease. Why is it that people persist in thinking that the solution to real-life problems is talking about them? Does anyone really believe that subjecting children to yet another course will achieve really meaningful goals? We can’t even get our kids to read or write or do arithmetic properly, despite endless hours of classroom effort. Are we going to make them into the defenders of freedom by adjusting the curriculum once more?

The simple fact is that children are not committed to democratic principles, or political freedom, or the bill of rights, because they themselves do not experience any of these lofty matters in their everyday lives, and in particular in their schools. Children do not have rights in school, they do not participate in meaningful decision-making at school (even where the decisions directly affect their own lives), nor do they have the freedom of self determination in school. In fact, the schools are models of autocracy – sometimes benevolent, sometimes cruel, but always in direct conflict with the principles on which our country is based.

The way to ensure that people of any age will be deeply committed to the American Way is to make them full participants in it. Make our schools democratic, give our children freedom of choice and the basic rights of citizenship in their schools, and they will have no problem understanding what this country is about.

Comment on Democratic Life responds to the National Curriculum Review by Lord Phillips of Sudbury

Lord Phillips of Sudbury — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 08:24:02 +0000

Effective Democracy is vital to civilised life. Citizenship education is vital to effective democracy, especially to the disadvantaged or disaffected. We already have a dangerously disconnected citizenry, and to make citizenship optional can only make the crisis (for that it is) much worse.
In fact we need to ensure that the subject is better taught. The issues
at stake go to the very roots of our society.
I speak as the Founder of the Citizenship Foundation and a Parliament-
arian since 1998.

Comment on Teach First citizenship teacher on ‘Why schools need citizenship’ by Nicola

Nicola — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:48:53 +0000

What an inspiring article. Proof that citizenship education not only works, but also makes a huge impact on all young people – not just those already interested or engaged in active citizenship.

Comment on Respond to the National Curriculum Review with our easy to use form! by Debbie O'Connor

Debbie O'Connor — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:26:07 +0000

Thanks – keep up the good work!!

Comment on Respond to the National Curriculum Review with our easy to use form! by Michael Grimes

Michael Grimes — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:25:19 +0000

Your responses were received. When the form is sent it should display a message at the bottom of the screen, but it seems not to appear for some people. I’ve tried to get to the bottom of it and will take another look.