P-05-861 Make political education a compulsory element of the new national curriculum

This petition was submitted by Kaiesha Ceryn Page having collected 117 signatures.

Text of Petition

Education should provide young people with the skills and tools that will ensure that they become valued and engaged citizens of the country.

Despite the vast advances that have been made by social media and fast-paced news cycles, young people often view politics as a taboo subject, seen as something that is not for the likes of them.

We believe that young people should leave education with a comprehensive understanding of political institutions within the United Kingdom. The Electoral Reform Society report recommended that four key aspects should be taught in school – the parties, democracy, the role of institutions and campaigning.

At present, the Welsh Government has a unique opportunity to lead the way on this matter as it is currently developing its first national curriculum. As one of its four key concepts, the new curriculum aims to produce citizens that are "ethical and informed". It therefore stands to reason that political education should be an essential part of this.

The development of this curriculum provides a unique opportunity for the Welsh Government to revolutionise how it educates its young people, providing citizens that will become the leaders of the future.

Status

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 25/02/2020.

The Committee noted the work done by the Welsh Youth Parliament on life skills in the curriculum (including political education), the imminent full introduction of the new curriculum for Wales, and the inclusion of political education within the Welsh Baccalaureate, and agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner for her engagement.

Full details of the consideration of this petitions by the committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above.

It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 29/01/2019.

Assembly Constituency and Region

• Rhondda
• South Wales Central

Further information

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