I was appalled for the wrong reason!

I was perusing Instapundit when I ran across this link

Churchill dropped from England's history syllabus

The first thought that comes to mind... "What could they possibly be thinking?!?!" Then I read the article which starts like this

Britain's World War II prime minister Winston Churchill has been cut from a list of key historical figures recommended for teaching in English secondary schools, a government agency says.[emph mine --ed]

It's always amusing to find out how very different other countries really are from America. Especially when they speak the same language. I had no idea their "federal" government decreed what is taught in their schools. Down to exactly who and what! That's astounding. (America may be pointed in this direction - but we're a far far cry from it yet)

Now I'm sure someone would love to jump in and say that these "government agencies" are made up of educators. But still - the fact that the schools are overseen by one single entity that directs even the minutia of what is taught in the classroom. It takes the breath away.

Then I read this

A spokesman for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said the new curriculum, to be taught from September 2008, does not prescribe to teachers what they must include.

But he added: "Teachers know that they need to mention these pivotal figures. They don't need to be instructed by law to mention them in every history class.

Interesting - I wonder why these instructional laws were created in the first place. Was it because teachers couldn't be relied upon to actually teach their subjects? Or was it some meddlesome "nanny" who decided that even teachers need to be told exactly what to do and how to do it.

Mind you - teaching history without including Winston Churchill would be a complete and total travesty. The man was and continues to be larger than life! I am simply stunned that the British government felt the need to make it a "law" that he be included in history as it is taught in their schools.

One wonders how the populace manages to make it through a single day. Unless all those cameras watching them are also sending out instructions on what they must do next. Wow.

Posted by: Teresa in Education at 06:46 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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