§ Baroness Whitakerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to encourage the use of the new publication Developing a Global Dimension in the School Curriculum to influence the content of lessons in schools, and, if so, how. [HL3442]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)The booklet,Developing a Global Dimension in the School Curriculum was prepared by the Department for International Development (DfID), working in partnership with my department and other bodies with expertise in development education. It is aimed at governors, headteachers and teachers with a responsibility for curriculum planning and demonstrates how the content of what is taught can be informed by international and global matters, thus preparing pupils to live effectively in a global society. The booklet was published on 7 July. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has recently announced targets to reduce the size and number of documents sent to schools, as part of his general drive against bureaucracy. The booklet will therefore not be sent automatically to all schools. It will be available free of charge from DfID and will be advertised in my department's publications, Spectrum and Teacher's Magazine. We are also investigating ways to promote the document on the Internet.