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Press Release

STATEMENT ON "BRITISH VALUES" CLASSES

15 May 2006

The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) has commented on the proposed review of "core British values" in the curriculum in England.

PAT General Secretary Philip Parkin said: “This is a worthwhile idea in principle, but there must be a detailed, wide-ranging and carefully considered consultation about what we mean by ‘core British values’.

“These ‘values’ should not be prescriptive but should be inclusive. It would not be appropriate to promote an imperial British myth by teaching that values such as democracy, justice and fair play are exclusively British or that Britain is superior to other countries.

“If they are to be successful, the proposed citizenship lessons must look at all the communities in the UK, their origins and their contributions to this country’s past, present and future.

“It should be possible to foster pride in, and a sense of belonging to, this country without being jingoistic or encouraging the aggressive nationalism that is sometimes fostered by the tabloid press.”



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