§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had on the(a) development and (b) use of EU-funded Socrates material in schools. [68649]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 9 July 2002]The material produced in the Socrates programme is a matter for the participants, working within the parameters of the programme, and the Department is not involved in its development, or in consultation on its use.
Schools are free to use any material in their teaching, subject to Section 407 of the Education Act 1996. This article requires school governing bodies, head teachers and local education authorities to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that where political or controversial issues are brought to pupils' attention, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.