The Teaching of Right and Wrong
or How to teach Children that being Morally Ambiguous is a Good Thing.
I'll say it simply - the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in England are fucking idiots.
via the BBC , a story on how the UK's exam regulator have drafted plans where the difference between right and wrong is no longer taught in English schools. Theres so many things wrong with this story that its hard to know where to start.
First off - I think primarily it is a parents job to teach their offspring the difference between right and wrong. Its something that should broadly be embedded before a child even reaches school age, and as a parent myself, its a fundamental part of parenting. However, not all parents are that bothered about ensuring their children are equipped to deal with basic moral issues, so I think it's also important that school also plays a part in teaching children the basics of moral and civic responsibilities.
Secondly - They think its better to learn "secure values and beliefs". Yup, we can be sure that if this barmy plan goes ahead, then children will be secure in their beliefs that not getting the latest toy actually denotes a breach of their human rights. They will be firm in their beliefs that kicking the shit out of the odd kid in the class is the right thing to do, because if feels good. They will be secure in the belief that only their values matter, and to hell with everyone else. Seems like a receipe for disaster to me.
Thirdly - They want our kids to "understand different cultures and traditions". Yup, that'll help them get a job in an increasingly difficult market, unless the Race Relations industry is a bit short handed of course. And tucked away under the proposals, the requirement to teach Britain's "cultural heritage" would also go. Funnily enough, I thought that had been ditched when NuLab came to power - certainly my kids have picked up precious little regarding English culture from school, its been down to the wife any myself to see they have a basic grasp on English history and culture. Want to bet thats not something that'll be dropped in Scotland and Wales?
Thankfully its not all stupidity though, with Professor Alan Smithers, director of the University of Buckingham's centre for education and employment research, saying:
"The idea that they think it is appropriate to dispense with right and wrong is a bit alarming."
Quite. Even more suprising is this bit of sense from the NUT, with a spokeswoman saying:
"Teachers always resented being told that one of the aims of the school was to teach the difference between right and wrong. That is inherent in the way teachers operate. Removing it from the national curriculum will make no difference to teachers. They will still ensure that children learn the difference between right and wrong."
Yup, its something a good teacher will do. I'll reserve comment of the actual number of good teachers around, as your mileage may vary with experience.
The QCA rounded it off with a statement that the proposals were only in draft form and would be consulted on next year. I suppose that makes it alright then?
The fact that even putting these proposals forward shows that even the QCA dont even know the difference between right and wrong.
QCA - do us all a fucking favour. Make sure that the curriculum is such that it enables our next generation of workers, businessmen, politicians, nurses and soldiers to leave school with the ability to read, write, reason coherently and logically, have the ability to analyse data, perform basic mathematical tasks and have a firm grasp on the historic and social background of the country they live in. Stop with the self indulgent wankery.
I'll say it simply - the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in England are fucking idiots.
via the BBC , a story on how the UK's exam regulator have drafted plans where the difference between right and wrong is no longer taught in English schools. Theres so many things wrong with this story that its hard to know where to start.
First off - I think primarily it is a parents job to teach their offspring the difference between right and wrong. Its something that should broadly be embedded before a child even reaches school age, and as a parent myself, its a fundamental part of parenting. However, not all parents are that bothered about ensuring their children are equipped to deal with basic moral issues, so I think it's also important that school also plays a part in teaching children the basics of moral and civic responsibilities.
Secondly - They think its better to learn "secure values and beliefs". Yup, we can be sure that if this barmy plan goes ahead, then children will be secure in their beliefs that not getting the latest toy actually denotes a breach of their human rights. They will be firm in their beliefs that kicking the shit out of the odd kid in the class is the right thing to do, because if feels good. They will be secure in the belief that only their values matter, and to hell with everyone else. Seems like a receipe for disaster to me.
Thirdly - They want our kids to "understand different cultures and traditions". Yup, that'll help them get a job in an increasingly difficult market, unless the Race Relations industry is a bit short handed of course. And tucked away under the proposals, the requirement to teach Britain's "cultural heritage" would also go. Funnily enough, I thought that had been ditched when NuLab came to power - certainly my kids have picked up precious little regarding English culture from school, its been down to the wife any myself to see they have a basic grasp on English history and culture. Want to bet thats not something that'll be dropped in Scotland and Wales?
Thankfully its not all stupidity though, with Professor Alan Smithers, director of the University of Buckingham's centre for education and employment research, saying:
"The idea that they think it is appropriate to dispense with right and wrong is a bit alarming."
Quite. Even more suprising is this bit of sense from the NUT, with a spokeswoman saying:
"Teachers always resented being told that one of the aims of the school was to teach the difference between right and wrong. That is inherent in the way teachers operate. Removing it from the national curriculum will make no difference to teachers. They will still ensure that children learn the difference between right and wrong."
Yup, its something a good teacher will do. I'll reserve comment of the actual number of good teachers around, as your mileage may vary with experience.
The QCA rounded it off with a statement that the proposals were only in draft form and would be consulted on next year. I suppose that makes it alright then?
The fact that even putting these proposals forward shows that even the QCA dont even know the difference between right and wrong.
QCA - do us all a fucking favour. Make sure that the curriculum is such that it enables our next generation of workers, businessmen, politicians, nurses and soldiers to leave school with the ability to read, write, reason coherently and logically, have the ability to analyse data, perform basic mathematical tasks and have a firm grasp on the historic and social background of the country they live in. Stop with the self indulgent wankery.
posted by Kryten at 12:56 PM
3 Comments:
I'm not entirely sure the curriculum is the place for it; it's more an ethos thing - behaviour begats behaviour and all that.
I don't recall from my school-days being specifically instructed in the difference, but we sure knew what it was if the line was ever crossed...
On balance, I think I'd probably be more worried if the QCA did think it should be involved... having had some dealing with them.
As you say, my school days were the same - it was more of an ethos in that you already knew right from wrong and the school simply reinforced that.
Nowadays Im not so sure as that knowledge isnt there any more before the kids go to school in a lot of cases - so were either left with the choice of teaching basic moral standards or not. The end result potentially being the difference between a law abiding citizen or a delinquent. Personally Id rather see the kid taught the difference in school if the parents are that indifferent. It wont do much for the parents, but the kids may well stand a chance a a better life.
In some ways it comes down to reinforcing effectively what are the 10 commandments (no, Im not religious!) teaching a basic set of moral rules so that people can live together with as little friction as possible.
Actually, we only need the one; do unto others...
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