Statement on Government's culture pledge

13 February 2008

The Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) has described the DCSF's plan to offer pupils five hours of cultural activities a week as "admirable but naïve".

PAT National Chairman Geraldine Everett, a teacher and inclusion consultant in the East Midlands, said: “This is an admirable intention but naïve. It is fine-sounding rhetoric but demonstrates little understanding of the practical issues.

"Children should be able to experience culture – by watching, looking and listening, and by experiencing and doing – first-rate culture in drama, art, music, exhibitions etc.  Schools do cover cultural aspects in the already overloaded curriculum, but there is a balance to be found between what should be provided by the school during the day or offered as optional extra-curricular activities.  There aren't enough hours in the day to provide all the sport, cookery and culture the Government would like on top of the current curriculum.

"Cultural visits to the theatre or galleries should be part of a child's education, but who, in the long-term, will meet the admission prices and transport costs? Museums and theatres may be round the corner in big cities but are not as accessible in smaller towns and rural areas."