§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are being taken to improve education for international understanding, as part of the UK programme of citizenship education. [53588]
§ Margaret HodgeFrom September 2002, when citizenship becomes statutory in secondary schools, pupils will be taught about the world as a global community, and the political economic, environmental and social implications of this. Pupils will learn about the United Kingdom's relations in Europe, including the European Union, Commonwealth and the United Nations and the wider issues and challenges of global interdependence and responsibility.
The DFES is funding organisations to produce resource materials to support schools. For example, we worked with Department for International Development (DfID) and the Development Education Association (DEA) to produce a guide "Developing a Global Dimension in the school curriculum". In addition, detailed guidance produced by the QCA, sent to all secondary schools, include a unit—"Debating a global issue" which encourages pupils to develop international understanding. The guidance is available at www.dfes.gov.uk/citizenship.