teachers in Britain's schools believe they should warn pupils about the dangers of patriotism

[Danno 1,228]

Majority of teachers don't want to promote 'brainwashing' patriotism to pupils

By Matthew Hickley

Last updated at 9:03 AM on 12th September 2009

Three-quarters of teachers in Britain's schools believe they should warn pupils about the dangers of patriotism - which some regard as a form of 'brainwashing', researchers have found.

A nationwide study found the majority of teachers felt they should not be promoting the subject at all in the classroom, with some preferring to instruct their pupils in the benefits of 'universal brotherhood'.

And even those who felt positively about patriotism felt the need to qualify and tone down their support, stressing that they disliked 'jingoistic flag-waving'.

Curriculum controversy: Many teachers claim to feel uncomfortable promoting patriotism

Curriculum controversy: Many teachers claim to feel uncomfortable promoting patriotism

The findings are a blow for the Government after Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke out in favour of encouraging pupils to be patriotic, calling for 'Britishness' lessons to be part of the curriculum.

The study by the Institute of Education at the University of London surveyed teachers and pupils at 20 secondary schools, and found 74 per cent believed it was their duty to point out the danger of patriotic sentiments.

'Praising patriotism excludes non-British pupils,' one teacher told researchers.

'Patriotism about being British divides groups along racial lines, when we aim to bring pupils to an understanding of what makes us the same.'

Other responses included:

* 'We shouldn't be promoting patriotism. We should be promoting universal brotherhood.'

* 'I think we should identify as humans.'

* 'I don't think you should be grooming children to be patriotic. That's as bad as telling everyone that they've got to be a certain religion - I am not going to brainwash anyone.'

While two-thirds of teachers claimed they encouraged discussion of patriotism in their classrooms, more than half of pupils said patriotism was never discussed at school.

In their report, Dr Joanne Pearce and Dr Michael Hand argue much of history and politics is incomprehensible without understanding of the power of patriotic sentiment.

They told the Times Educational Supplement: 'Schools have a responsibility to ensure that students not only understand the phenomenon of patriotism, but are equipped to make reasoned judgments about the place it should occupy in their own emotional lives.'

British author Frederick Forsyth said teachers should promote 'quiet pride' amongst students

British author Frederick Forsyth said teachers should promote 'quiet pride' amongst students

Novelist and commentator Frederick Forsyth said: 'I wish these teachers would see that patriotism in the sense of that quiet pride is nothing to be afraid of. It's not aggressive. It doesn't put down foreigners. It doesn't noisily wave flags and it certainly doesn't swerve towards the BNP.'

Pupils at a state comprehensive school are to be given therapy lessons by staff from a celebrity rehab clinic on drug addiction, anger management and eating disorders.

Teachers at Notley High, Braintree, Essex, have teamed up with experts from the private Priory hospitals, which are better known for helping celebrities such as Amy Winehouse overcome their excesses.

They have developed a programme of cognitive behaviour therapy to tackle issues including anger, low self esteem, eating disorders and drug addiction.

Staff hope the voluntary lessons will help pupils avoid developing such problems in the first place.

* Headteachers are earning as much as £50,000 on top of their regular salaries for advising struggling schools, it emerged yesterday. Successful school leaders are charging state schools £850 per day in consultancy fees for their expertise. Many heads have struck deals with their governing bodies, allowing them to set up private companies and then share the profits between themselves and their school. Although legal, the revelation raises worrying questions about the rules governing salaries for heads, especially those who take on extra schools. It also comes at a time when schools are preparing for their budgets to be squeezed to cut public-sector debt.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

How exactly does one teach patriotism, and in what context?

Lessons in "Britishness"? What utter garbage!

Ideologically at least its a pretty dodgy thing to to do. How on earth can it be practical?

[rebeccajo 14]

Danno -

My husband grew up in Northern Ireland. I'm not sure if you know Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, but in case you don't...............it is.

My husband is also a Protestant. In case you are also unawares, schools in Northern Ireland were (and for the most part still remain) either "Protestant" or "Catholic". Therefore, my husband attended "Protestant" schools.

My husband was taught British history. His Catholic counterparts were taught Irish history.

Despite anti-discrimination law in the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland too now that you know this), it's easy for an employer to discriminate (if they are so inclined) simply by looking at an applicants Curriculum Vitae. Now why would you want to discriminate against a Catholic or a Protestant, you might ask.

Because the history in Northern Ireland of divide between Catholic and Protestant is long and many still hold strong opinions. Is it too much to imagine that these opinions are forged in children in their formative years? The subsequent political violence and fall-out is also out there in the British press, if you are so inclined to go looking for that information also.

Just a little lesson in semantics.

Edited September 15, 2009 by rebeccajo

[tallcoolone 102]

Typical.

As Usual the USA will have to resuce Britan again when they are getting bombed and losing another war.

Just like the USA did back during WW2

If one does not teach national pride and patriotism, then a country becomes ripe for being conqured.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wouldn't worry, there's enough patriotism in the UK to go around.

Perhaps you can explain how you teach patriotism in a classroom environment?

I don't think people have thought this through, at least from what I remember from school in the UK, the focus was always on encouraging the students to develop their own opinions, rather than having them foisted upon them by teachers.

Of course patriotism isn't the same as nationalism. A fair few people on these boards confuse the two.

[tallcoolone 102]

I wouldn't worry, there's enough patriotism in the UK to go around.

Perhaps you can explain how you teach patriotism in a classroom environment?

It's quite easy

You teach them history of your country, and how it has rised to be a SuperPower in the World.

When I was in School we were taught about how the USA fought the British and gained their Independence and is the Land of the Free and the Brave.

In Texas we are also taught how Texans were murdered at the Battle of Alamo by the Mexico Army, and how Texans finally defeated the Mexico to gain it's Indepence from Mexico.

We are also taught how the USA fought in 2 World Wars and how the USA became a superpower after WW2.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well I hope the school system taught you history better than it taught you English

But seriously, they already teach history in the UK. So perhaps I'm not understanding the problem here. Or else you are wrong in your assessment of what is meant by teaching patriotism.

Edited September 15, 2009 by Private Pike

[tallcoolone 102]

[Danno 1,228]

And this is favorite of the Palins, I bet.

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[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why bother to teach patriotism when you can youtube video it

[Heracles 417]

I think certain members from Britain are living proof of what having no allegiance does to you. While I think the US is a little excessive, I certainly never want my country to end up like a UK; where it's pretty much a taboo to be patriotic. The British have a lot to be proud of.

Edited September 15, 2009 by Booyah!

[tmma 467]

Typical.

As Usual the USA will have to resuce Britan again when they are getting bombed and losing another war.

Just like the USA did back during WW2

If one does not teach national pride and patriotism, then a country becomes ripe for being conqured.

I respectfully disagree with just about everything in your commentary ^^^^^^ here.

There is a huge difference between 'patriotism' and being proud of being British ( or any nationality)and 'rabid, sod everyone else' patriotism.

[MonkeyJuice 3]

I have a friend that is a probation officer. At world cup time, the staff at her office aren't allowed to display the England flag anywhere in the office or even in their cars for fear of upsetting minorities! They aren't allowed to be patriotic!

It's political correctness gone crazy.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You don't need to fly the flag to be patriotic, nor is it required.

Too many people in this country get wrapped up in meaningless symbolism and religiosity. On these boards at least declaring yourself to be a patriot is little more than a device for declaring childish superiority.

If that weren't the case then our politicians wouldn't call each other "unamerican". Its a deeply disingenuous statement.

[Ban Hammer 13,658]

I think certain members from Britain are living proof of what having no allegiance does to you. While I think the US is a little excessive, I certainly never want my country to end up like a UK; where it's pretty much a taboo to be patriotic. The British have a lot to be proud of.