FEARS of “dumbing down” kids were raised tonight after a government review proposed cutting the number of GCSE exams.
MPs also warned that calls for lessons to be more “diverse” could be exploited by left-wing teachers to promote identity politics in the classroom.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson commissioned the curriculum review[/caption]
Academic Becky Francis today unveiled her review of the national curriculum tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
Her report suggests slashing the amount of “intensive, high stakes assessment” that is taking a toll on pupils’ wellbeing.
It highlights how British teenagers are the most tested in the western world, with Year 11s sitting up to 31 hours of papers.
While exams force pupils to “rote learn facts”, she said shifting to more coursework could provide better assessments.
Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott last night slammed the proposals as “dumbing down school standards”.
She said: “In moving away from examinations and towards coursework, qualifications will be less rigorous and less credible.”
Ms Francis also said the curriculum needs to “increase diversity in representation” and cited reports calling for more ethnic minority authors to be included.
One of the papers that influenced the review was a study called Lit in Colour that bemoaned an education system where “the literature deemed most worthy of study disproportionately represents a whiteness in a multiracial society.”
Ms Francis’ review said: “Pupils told us that not being able to see themselves in the content they learn, or encountering negative portrayals, can be disempowering and demotivating, a point supported by wider evidence.”
But it sparked fears of woke teachers foisting their views on young kids in the classroom.
Tory MP Nick Timothy said: “Our schools should absolutely promote tolerance and mutual understanding.
“But we must be very careful to ensure this is not exploited by those who wish to promote divisive identity politics, teaching children to be ashamed of their country and its heritage.
Ms Francis – an academic tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with carrying out the review – also suggested adapting the curriculum to teach kids about artificial intelligence.
Her polling also showed parents wished their children had spent more time learning about finances and budgeting.
Ms Phillipson said: “I welcome the important progress Becky Francis and her expert review are making to drive forward work to take the curriculum into the modern era and help deliver on the government’s Plan for Change.”
