Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Tuesday, 31 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 10 November 2000. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Friday, 10 November 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what obligations in respect of impartiality schools are required to observe when allowing politicians to discuss politically controversial subjects with pupils.

Answer: Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what obligations in respect of impartiality schools are required to observe when allowing politicians to discuss politically controversial subjects with pupils. [136237] Jacqui Smith: We regard it as valuable that Members of Parliament and local councillors take an interest in education and look for opportunities to visit schools and meet pupils. From 2002 Citizenship will become a statutory subject in secondary schools, and this will require all pupils to be taught about parliamentary government and the democratic process. Open and informed debate about current issues is, of course, vital for a healthy democracy. There are, however, legal safeguards in place to protect against attempts at political indoctrination. Section 407 of the Education Act 1996 requires teachers to take all reasonably practical steps to ensure that, where political or controversial issues are brought to pupils' attention, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 356 c434W; 136237
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Curriculum Citizenship Political impartiality Schools Teachers Politics Politicians
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk