The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #122837 Message #2715979
Posted By: GUEST,Tom Bliss
04-Sep-09 - 04:46 AM
Thread Name: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
Subject: RE: Folk Against Fascism launch at Sidmouth
Richard's concern notwithstanding, I agree with Tim* that one of the best ways we have of preventing English Folk Arts from being hi-jacked by the BnP is to have a short but sweet module introduced into the primary school curriculum. The key point being that it needs to be done by an incumbent centrist government to stop it becoming an election issue, (which the Far Right could then easily manipulate during the campaign period).
In fact the very first thing I did after the European election was to write to my MP, Fabian Hamilton, suggesting just this.
At the time I was promoting exactly such a scheme to Leeds primary schools, and was confident I'd get a big take-up (so this wasn't about Jobs for Toms). My idea was that it should be introduced nationally - even if only one module in an entire school career. The message would be clear, and it would serve as a reference point in other subjects too.
Incidentally I had been horrified to discover in my research for that project that there IS a small element of 'folk' in the curriculum - under World Music (ok ok -sigh-) but upon examination this turned out to be only about Irish music! (Obviously I love Irish music, and think it absolutely must be heard in English schools - but the key point is that kids need to know what the children were singing and dancing in that very playground 50, 100, 200 years ago if they're to have any chance of putting the Irish, Bengali, Chinese, West Indian, Ukrainian, Younameit traditions into context (there's lots of wonderful non-English music in primary schools and that's brilliant) - never mind the issue of having the hole plugged by thugs).
Fabian agreed entirely, and forwarded my letter to Vernon Coaker the Minister for Schools.
To our disappointment they initially missed the point about the BnP entirely, and wrote back advising that schools were now free to teach English Folk Music if they wished (assuming they can find a space)!
We replied that they'd missed the point, and only this week I got a second reply.
"Your constituent's concern about the BNP and folk music is not a National Curriculum matter. Mr Bliss may also be interested to know that there are safeguards in law to guard against biased or unbalanced teaching. Section 407 of the Education Act 1996 requires school governing bodies, head teachers and local authorities 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. If Mr Bliss has concerns about the broader area of "our cultural heritage" these might be raised with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport."
Talk about joined-up government!
I'm still considering my next step.
Tom
*I read all Tim's posts and did not for one minute assume that he was a BNP toll - in fact I was shocked and alarmed when people reacted as they did. May I tactfully suggest again that the best way of dealing with someone you have a hunch is not 'on the level' is to shout at them in total silence.