§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can give an assurance that the new emphasis on basic learning in primary schools will not be at the expense of geography and world awareness. [HL516]
§ Baroness Blackstone:My right honourable friend's announcement on 13 January responded to concern on the part of parents and teachers who made clear their view that more time was needed in the primary school curriculum for literacy and numeracy. They are interim measures pending the introduction of a revised national curriculum from September 2000.
Primary schools will still be required to teach all the foundation subjects, including geography, and to have regard to their programmes of study. They will also still be required to provide a balanced and broadly based curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority will be producing guidance around Easter on how schools might meet this duty. There is every reason therefore to be confident that schools will continue to give children an awareness of world issues, through geography and through the curriculum generally.