School children in the UK are finally going to learn about British colonialism, the legacy of the Raj and India’s struggle for independence as part of the national curriculum in an effort to give an insight into the shared history of Britain and India.
Lessons in Indian history which have been given the thumbs up by Prime Minister Tony Blair and published on Wednesday by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) will teach 11 to 14 year-olds about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the importance of Mahatma Gandhi.
However new lessons entitled ‘How and why is the legacy of British rule in the Indian subcontinent interpreted in different ways?’ have been criticised as anti-British and sexually explicit.
“The general tone of the unit is anti-British, with little about the positive consequences of imperial rule,” said Chris McGovern, director of the History Curriculum Association. He complained about how Churchill has been portrayed in a bad light and his comments about Gandhi being a ‘half naked fakir,’ have been misquoted. “In effect teachers are being encouraged to use made-up evidence which is very much in line with the approach of New History,” said McGovern.
Teachers are also told to direct pupils to internet sites and one of them run by the Fordham University in New York has links to other sites containing the Kama Sutra which McGovern claims is unsuitable for teenagers.
A QCA spokesperson denied the criticisms arguing that teachers were encouraged to check resources before using them in class. “The unit that we have published does not mention the Kama Sutra or any other sexual matters. It looks at the history of India. The unit does not denigrate any historical figures,” he said.
The 13-page QCA guidance cautions teachers that they “should be aware that this unit explores issues and events that may evoke strong feelings in some pupils. Care should be taken to present the unit in a manner that is sensitive, objective and balanced.”
“Given the mix of nationalities in England, it is important to foster understanding through learning. Children need to learn about British history, but also need to improve their knowledge of the events that shaped the world we live in,” said Ken Boston, chief executive of QCA.
“Learning more about the recent history of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh can help children better understand the legacy of the British Empire, providing an important and valuable insight into the history of their own country,” he added.
