§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to educate(a) primary and (b) secondary school students in (i) ethnicity and (ii) cultural diversity in Britain. [119141]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggUnderstanding the origins and implications of the diverse ethnic, cultural, national, regional and religious identities in the United Kingdom is an important part of Citizenship education. Citizenship education is part of the Personal, Social and Health Education framework for primary schools and became part of the statutory National Curriculum for 11–16 year olds in September 2002. Pupils are taught from an early age to respect the differences between people, to appreciate other's feelings and points of view, to recognise the effects of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination of any kind and to develop the skills to challenge them assertively. Guidance from QCA on how to deliver these aspects of the National curriculum was sent to all schools in 2002.