§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many secondary school pupils in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire will receive lessons in entrepreneurship in the current school year; and if he will make a statement. [101138]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department does not hold figures on the numbers of secondary school pupils receiving lessons in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship does not currently form part of the National Curriculum, and thus it is up to individual schools to decide whether, and how, to teach it.
However the revised National Curriculum—most of which will come into force from September 2000—will encourage pupils to think creatively and critically, and will encourage innovation and enterprise. The new framework for Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship will cover financial literacy, consumer education and entrepreneurial skills as follows:
At Key Stage 1, children will be taught that money comes from difference sources and can be used for different purposes.At Key Stage 2, they will be taught to look after their money and realise that future wants and needs may be met through saving.25WAt Key Stage 3, they will be taught what influences how we spend or save money, and how to become competent at managing personal money.At Key Stage 4, they will be taught to use a range of financial tools and services, including budgeting and saving, in managing personal money. They will also be taught the rights and responsibilities of consumers, employers and employees.£7 million of Standards Fund money has been made available for next academic year for implementation of the PSHE/citizenship frameworks in schools, and £5 million has been made available for the introduction of citizenship. Further funding will be available in 2001–02. In addition the Chancellor, in his 1999 Pre-Budget Report, announced a £10 million package to boost enterprise skills in schools, particularly those in disadvantaged areas.