Hoon calls for classroom lessons on benefits of EU

Anthony Butcher · 02-08-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Children could be forced to learn about the supposed 'benefits' of the European Union under Government plans revealed.

Europe Minister Geoff Hoon said he was concerned that youngsters were indifferent to the EU because they were not being taught about efforts in Brussels to promote free trade or cheap travel.

He has written to Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, asking for lessons on the EU to be included in the National Curriculum.

The idea prompted protests at Westminster last night. Both The Tories and the anti-EU United Kingdom Independence Party said it would amount to foisting EU propaganda on impressionable youngsters.

The National Union of Teachers also said it contradicted Chancellor Gordon Brown's proposal to teach 'Britishness'.

Only days ago it emerged that the curriculum could be changed so that all reference to Britain is dropped.

But Mr Hoon insisted: "We have got to make what goes on in Europe come alive.

"It is about trying to explain what it does and what it means in terms of practical consequences. I certainly think that should be part of the National Curriculum. I have no doubt there should be an element in there that explains what the EU is and how it works." Guidance for teachers already states that the structure of the EU can be taught in classes on citizenship.

But Mr Hoon wants a revised curriculum, currently under consideration, to require all children to learn about its benefits. The Foreign Office has added details on Britain in the EU to its website and these should form the basis of classroom materials, said Mr Hoon. The Conservatives said they would resist any teaching resources that look like propaganda.

Europe spokesman Graham Brady said: "It would be welcome if genuinely objective information about the EU was available.

"But that information must be clearly objective and must not be a kind of gloss attempting to promote a particular view of Europe."

UKIP's leader in Brussels, Nigel Farage, said: "I would be happy for the impact of the EU to be taught to children - the billions of pounds of British taxpayers' money wasted - but I doubt this is what the Government will teach."

The NUT claimed there was no room in the timetable for extra EU lessons.

A spokesman added: "Geoff Hoon wants to add to the content of the National Curriculum but nobody ever seems to take anything away. Gordon Brown talked recently about the teaching of Britishness. There are so many conflicting demands."

The European Commission has already opened a 'Europe Direct' centre in Plymouth, calling it a 'one-stop shop' where the public can get information about the EU's activities.

More of the centres, which are part of an EU campaign to fight growing Euroscepticism among European citizens, are intended to provide information to the British public about issues such as EU treaties, European policies, legislation and how to apply for grants.

exo-politics · 02-08-2006, 01:20 PM

Surely they will have to ammend the Education Act?
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/96056-bp.htm#406

Quote:

Political indoctrination. 406. - (1) The local education authority, governing body and head teacher shall forbid-

(a) the pursuit of partisan political activities by any of those registered pupils at a maintained school who are junior pupils, and

(b) the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school.

(2) In the case of activities which take place otherwise than on the school premises, subsection (1)(a) applies only where arrangements for junior pupils to take part in the activities are made by-

(a) any member of the school's staff (in his capacity as such), or

(b) anyone acting on behalf of the school or of a member of the school's staff (in his capacity as such).

(3) In this section "maintained school" includes a maintained special school established in a hospital.

Duty to secure balanced treatment of political issues. 407. - (1) The local education authority, governing body and head teacher shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that where political issues are brought to the attention of pupils while they are-

(a) in attendance at a maintained school, or

(b) taking part in extra-curricular activities which are provided or organised for registered pupils at the school by or on behalf of the school,

they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

(2) In this section "maintained school" includes a maintained special school established in a hospital.

harryaldridge · 02-08-2006, 01:49 PM

At least we got a mention in the article. When there is an "EU issue" UKIP gets fairly good coverage and the right to reply. Our task now is to translate this across into other areas of policy.

I wonder if Nigel also referred to UKIPs education policy, and it was cut, or whther he didn't even think to mention it?

ENGLISH JEW · 02-08-2006, 06:20 PM

typical of NL, their plan is to force the EU onto the people of England without ever going to the country for a referendum as they no they'd never get it passed.

why should we teach our kids about the EU went we don't even teach them ENGLISH HISTORY.

And this from a guy who doesn't come from these islands.

Britannist · 02-08-2006, 06:44 PM

Anti-EU columnist Christopher Booker (who writes every week for the Sunday Telegraph) wrote in the Daily Mail today ( brief extracts):

“Comrade Hoon” (the europhile Labour Government ‘Europe’ Minister) wants children to be taught about how the EU gives free trade and cheap travel. But the EU is protectionist. Remember ‘bra wars’ when the EU put tariffs on cheap clothing and shoes from the far east. As for the claim that the EU offers cheap travel, wasn’t it the EU Commission that tried to prevent Easyjet and Ryanair from running cheap flights into airports?

Hoon doesn’t want teachers to be told of the negatives about the EU. Hoon is on shaky ground. Sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act say that local authorities, school governors and Head Teachers must forbid the promotion of partisan and political view in the teaching of any subject . Where political views are brought to the attention of pupils, they must be given a balanced presentation.

What is it about these EU sympathisers which seems to turn their brains into jelly in this way? Supporters of the EU are so convinced that everything about this attempt to set up an EU state is wonderful that they can’t imagine that anyone could hold any view but their own.

Before the UK went into ‘europe’, Heath (the ‘Conservative’ Prime Minister) got the Foreign Office to set up an Information Unit to promote the campaign for going into the EEC (now EU). In the referendum campaign on staying in the EEC, the Foreign Office called in Bob Worcester (of IPSOS/MORI opinion polling), the leading marketing wizard at the time, to mastermind its (pro-EEC/EU) propaganda campaign. Civil servants were asked to abandon impartiality by backing the ‘staying in the EEC/EU’ campaign (of 1975).

In 1993, a Brussels (EU) report advised that the EU image should be ‘improved’ by targeting the young because “it is judicious to act where resistance is weakest.”

Sir Steven Wall, Blair’s former Chief Adviser on europe said he would work on a positive image of the EU to be ‘put through’ UK schools.

Civil servants under Blair have been politicised.

(End of extracts from article by Mr. Christopher Booker)

* Following yesterday’s reports that demoted and failed ex-Defence Minister ‘Geoff’ Hoon (now ‘Europe’ Minister) wants to force teachers to promote the EU in schools, the Daily Mail today (2.8.2006) reported the following (extracts):

The UK Independence Party said “He (Hoon) is trying to foist EU propaganda on impressionable youngsters.”

Hoon has told Education Minister Alan Johnston that he wants the EU included in the national curriculum. The National Union of Teachers says that there is no space in the curriculum for teaching about the EU.

The EU Commission has opened up a ‘Europe Direct’ centre in Plymouth (one of a number around the country) which will provide information about EU treaties, policy legislation and how to get EU grants. A few days ago it emerged that all references to ‘Britain’ could be dropped from the national curriculum.

Guidance for teachers already states that structures of the EU can be taught in classes on citizenship.

The Foreign Office has added details of the UK in the EU on its website which it says should form the basis of classroom materials.

Graham Brady MP, the Conservative spokesman on ‘Europe’, said “we welcome the teaching of the EU in schools if it is objective”. He expressed doubts that Hoon’s proposal would be free of bias (in favour of the EU).

Nigel Farage MEP, leader of the UK Independence Party group in the EU ‘Parliament’ told the Daily Mail “We would be happy if the impact of the EU was taught to children – the billions of Pounds wasted. But I doubt that this is what would be taught.”

Hoon said “We have got to make what goes on in europe come alive.”

02-08-2006, 06:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
ENGLISH JEW Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: England's Jewel, Chester Posts: 61	typical of NL, their plan is to force the EU onto the people of England without ever going to the country for a referendum as they no they'd never get it passed. why should we teach our kids about the EU went we don't even teach them ENGLISH HISTORY. And this from a guy who doesn't come from these islands. __________________ Shalom 2nd Gerneration English & Proud This is more than just Politics Its PERSONAL www.justiceforengland.com

02-08-2006, 06:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	Booker criticises Hoon Anti-EU columnist Christopher Booker (who writes every week for the Sunday Telegraph) wrote in the Daily Mail today ( brief extracts): “Comrade Hoon” (the europhile Labour Government ‘Europe’ Minister) wants children to be taught about how the EU gives free trade and cheap travel. But the EU is protectionist. Remember ‘bra wars’ when the EU put tariffs on cheap clothing and shoes from the far east. As for the claim that the EU offers cheap travel, wasn’t it the EU Commission that tried to prevent Easyjet and Ryanair from running cheap flights into airports? Hoon doesn’t want teachers to be told of the negatives about the EU. Hoon is on shaky ground. Sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act say that local authorities, school governors and Head Teachers must forbid the promotion of partisan and political view in the teaching of any subject . Where political views are brought to the attention of pupils, they must be given a balanced presentation. What is it about these EU sympathisers which seems to turn their brains into jelly in this way? Supporters of the EU are so convinced that everything about this attempt to set up an EU state is wonderful that they can’t imagine that anyone could hold any view but their own. Before the UK went into ‘europe’, Heath (the ‘Conservative’ Prime Minister) got the Foreign Office to set up an Information Unit to promote the campaign for going into the EEC (now EU). In the referendum campaign on staying in the EEC, the Foreign Office called in Bob Worcester (of IPSOS/MORI opinion polling), the leading marketing wizard at the time, to mastermind its (pro-EEC/EU) propaganda campaign. Civil servants were asked to abandon impartiality by backing the ‘staying in the EEC/EU’ campaign (of 1975). In 1993, a Brussels (EU) report advised that the EU image should be ‘improved’ by targeting the young because “it is judicious to act where resistance is weakest.” Sir Steven Wall, Blair’s former Chief Adviser on europe said he would work on a positive image of the EU to be ‘put through’ UK schools. Civil servants under Blair have been politicised. (End of extracts from article by Mr. Christopher Booker) * Following yesterday’s reports that demoted and failed ex-Defence Minister ‘Geoff’ Hoon (now ‘Europe’ Minister) wants to force teachers to promote the EU in schools, the Daily Mail today (2.8.2006) reported the following (extracts): The UK Independence Party said “He (Hoon) is trying to foist EU propaganda on impressionable youngsters.” Hoon has told Education Minister Alan Johnston that he wants the EU included in the national curriculum. The National Union of Teachers says that there is no space in the curriculum for teaching about the EU. The EU Commission has opened up a ‘Europe Direct’ centre in Plymouth (one of a number around the country) which will provide information about EU treaties, policy legislation and how to get EU grants. A few days ago it emerged that all references to ‘Britain’ could be dropped from the national curriculum. Guidance for teachers already states that structures of the EU can be taught in classes on citizenship. The Foreign Office has added details of the UK in the EU on its website which it says should form the basis of classroom materials. Graham Brady MP, the Conservative spokesman on ‘Europe’, said “we welcome the teaching of the EU in schools if it is objective”. He expressed doubts that Hoon’s proposal would be free of bias (in favour of the EU). Nigel Farage MEP, leader of the UK Independence Party group in the EU ‘Parliament’ told the Daily Mail “We would be happy if the impact of the EU was taught to children – the billions of Pounds wasted. But I doubt that this is what would be taught.” Hoon said “We have got to make what goes on in europe come alive.”

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02-08-2006, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
harryaldridge Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Sussex Posts: 1,912	At least we got a mention in the article. When there is an "EU issue" UKIP gets fairly good coverage and the right to reply. Our task now is to translate this across into other areas of policy. I wonder if Nigel also referred to UKIPs education policy, and it was cut, or whther he didn't even think to mention it?