Government Proposals For British Value Classes

15 May 2006

Commenting on the Government’s proposals for core British value classes, Steve Sinnott General Secretary of the National Union of teachers, Europe’s largest teaching union said:

‘I welcome the Government’s proposal to consult on values education. The tragedy of the 7th of July bombings has triggered rightly a reflection on how society can tackle ideologies which lead to terrorism. But the Government has to be careful not simply to define the universal values of democracy, liberty and freedom as solely British, although the United Kingdom has a proud history of promoting those values.

There is another core value which the Government needs to promote; and that is respect for different points of view.

Imposition can not lead to success in, or a common understanding of, the core values in our society. That is why thorough consultation with teachers, their organisations, parents and young people is so vital.