PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION (6 December 2010)

That this House notes the publication of the coalition Government's White Paper, The Importance of Teaching; agrees with the comments of the Secretary of State for Education in the document's foreword that `it is only through reforming education that we can allow every child the chance to take their full and equal share in citizenship'; further notes the Government's commitment to reform the National Curriculum; is concerned that, as part of that reform, citizenship education may become non-statutory in English schools; believes that citizenship is the only subject that provides an opportunity for pupils to become literate in our legal system and political processes and the skills to become active citizens; further notes that citizenship is a subject of academic rigour, established with cross-party support almost 10 years ago and that, to date, over half a million young people have achieved a GCSE or A-level qualification in the subject; supports the work of specifically-trained citizenship teachers in promoting democratic understanding and civic participation; and calls on the Government to affirm its commitment to citizenship education as an entitlement for all students in English secondary schools.

Sponsored by:
Lord Blunkett (Labour)