British values classes considered for UK schools

The government is to consider whether the teaching of core British values should become compulsory in English schools.

The six-month review would examine if children could learn to develop a sense of British identity through being taught about Britain's culture and traditions, core values such as democracy and free speech, as well as the contributions from different communities.

The changes would be incorporated into the current citizenship classes and be taught to children aged between 11 and 16.

The review was proposed by Education Minister Bill Rammell, partly in response to the July London bombings, and was developed following talks with Muslim students and academics, as well as other religious groups.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Rammell said that there was a "need for a debate" and said that the essential values already taught in citizenship classes, such as civil responsibilities and democracy, were "not developed and understood in the way they developed in terms of Britain's cultural and social history."

However, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Sarah Teather said: "The whole issue of disaffection amongst young people is more complicated than ministers suggest.

"The values we seek to impart to our children must be reflected in all levels of society. Expecting teachers to be able to overcome all the factors that lead to youth disaffection with a few classes is unrealistic and impractical.

"The government should undertake research into the causes of social alienation - whether it be poverty, lack of community cohesion or other cultural factors. They are right to recognise the problem, but are wrong to think it can be solved so simply."

(KMcA)