A recent report by Civitas notes the harmful effects of increased political interference in the school curriculum. This is partly through attempts to make education anti-elitist and to make it more relevant to children. Examples given include history where children studying for GCSE often learn next to nothing about British history in the past but discuss more modern themes such as Hitler, Stalin and present-day terrorism. Some would say they are learning a methodology rather than 'facts'. In science they may discuss the virtues of GM crops, genetic engineering, nuclear power, and environment ('green') issues. My own feeling is that:-
1. Many children do not have a wide range of knowledge on many issues. If you do not have a good grasp of the scientific facts (in the case of the last topics mentioned) you are not really in a position to discuss them. Many pupils who do not read at home, do not have parents who talk about these matters, will need to be 'led' which brings me to point 2.
2. A politically motivated teacher or one with a 'cause' can put forward a distorted view. Or present controversial theories as gospel truth.
