§ The Earl of Sandwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their current definition of "development education"; how many government departments are involved; and what funding has been provided in England over the past three years. [HL1288]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Through development education we aim to develop pupils' knowledge and understanding of global issues, including the political, economic, environmental and social implications; and their effects on individuals, communities and societies. They will also develop the skills and attitudes to contribute to sustainable development. Pupils study international development issues as part of both the citizenship curriculum—now statutory in secondary schools—and within geography. Primary pupils learn about living in a diverse world through citizenship, and about less economically developed countries through geography as part of studying water, settlements and environmental issues.
The DfES made about £2 million available to fund organisations to produce resource materials to support schools. For example, we worked with the Department for International Development (DfID) and the Development Education Association (DEA) to produce a guide Developing a Global Dimension in the school curriculum. Detailed guidance produced by the QCA, sent to all secondary schools, includes a unit—"Debating a global issue"—which encourages pupils to develop international understanding. In addition, DfID is ensuring that teachers have effective local support to enable them to incorporate the global dimension into both the curriculum and the wider life of schools. DfID also supports, through its Development Awareness Fund, a number of projects which promote and demonstrate the value in education terms of the inclusion of the global dimension.