ATL ON OATHS OF CITIZENSHIP

11 March 2008

Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“An excellent report on teaching citizenship was produced last year, and it will take many schools some time to work through its proposals.  They do not need to be diverted by political gimmicks like oaths of allegiance.

“Being British is complicated; most people, including school pupils, have a number of identities, which may be connected to their region, their class, and their religious or political beliefs.  Every day teachers deal with issues of right and wrong, and it is rare for them to be able to say that British people all believe the same thing.

“All children entitled to a UK passport are citizens, and the law does not recognise a single age of adulthood - so at what age should a citizenship ceremony take place?”