Contoversial issues
Start this section by reading the following quote.
All education springs from images of the future and all education creates images of the future. Thus all education, whether so intended or not, is a preparation for the future. Unless we understand the future for which we are preparing we may do tragic damage to those we teach.
(Toffler, 1974, quoted in Hicks, 2001, p. 1)
Under the National Curriculum schools are required to address controversial issues. While global issues are no more controversial than many others, they are often perceived to be more problematic. Teachers may feel a lack of confidence in handling global issues and that they are being 'too political'.
Teachers' main role in handling controversy is to provide the knowledge and skills that will enable pupils to form their own opinions.
When dealing with controversial issues teachers have often found it helpful to give their lessons more structure and a greater degree of formality to reflect the seriousness of the subject matter.
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has provided guidance for teachers to help them manage controversial issues in classrooms. They call for balance and neutrality on the part of the teacher. Neutrality is recommended as a strategy because the teacher acting as an impartial chair can enable pupils to extend their thinking skills. However, there may be occasions when it is important that the teacher clearly expresses a value position. This might be required to counter a racist opinion for example, which could leave members of the class or local community feeling exposed and vulnerable.
The activity on the right explores handling controversial issues in the classroom and ways of encouraging pupils to voice their own ideas and opinions. Now carry out the activity with a group of colleagues.
Activity Resources:
- Images
- Interactive
- Sound
- Text
- Video
Activity
- Ask participants to work in groups of three or four and select an item from a recent newspaper that has a global dimension. Ask them to discuss how they would introduce this to their class and what strategies they can adopt to help the pupils develop a clearer understanding of the issues (adapted from Activity 4 in the 'Developing global citizens' section of the International Broadcasting Trust (IBT) website, date unknown).
- Having discussed teaching and learning strategies for how to introduce a topical or controversial issue to young pupils, apply the ideas to your own classroom. Try to choose an issue that pupils themselves have expressed an interest in.
