The majority of teachers say that election topics need to be tackled as early as Key Stage Two to ensure that we see more young people at the ballot box in years to come. 59 per cent of teachers think that the optimum age for engaging with these issues at school is just ten years old or younger.
The environment topped the list of subjects most likely to spark pupils’ interest in politics, according to 81 per cent of teachers. Green issues were followed by crime (63%), education (53%) and health (36%).
The research also reveals that lessons inspired by politics or current affairs are a win-win solution for teachers and pupils. More than half of teachers (52%) say that teaching lessons based on topical issues such as the general election is more stimulating than traditional lessons. A further quarter (27%) viewed both types of lessons as equally rewarding, and 94% agreed topical lessons would also be more or equally as interesting to pupils as normal classes.
Whilst there is a clear interest in taking the election into the classroom, lack of time and resources prove an obstacle. Two thirds (67%) of teachers say that there are not enough resources to incorporate topical issues and current affairs into lessons, and more than half (55%) say that whilst they would like to incorporate the election into their lessons, there has been no time in the school day to do so.
Sarah Bowen, a teacher at St Cadoc’s Catholic Primary School in Cardiff, said: “I would love to incorporate the election and environmental policies into my lessons, as I know from using British Gas’ Generation Green resources in the past that green issues get my pupils fired up. Lessons inspired by politics and current affairs get me thinking too, so it’s not just the students that are having fun! It’s encouraging to see that the role the classroom can play in engaging youngsters in politics is being recognised. Although I think it may come as a surprise to politicians just how early topical debates need to be introduced to secure the sought-after youth vote!”
Katie Alloway, Generation Green Programme Manager, said: “At Generation Green we know that the environment is really important to today’s schoolchildren. We’ve been working with the 22 young members of our think tank, for example, to develop their own Green Manifesto, which they presented to MPs at the Houses of Parliament in February. So it’s interesting to see that teachers think this is key not just to enjoyment in the classroom, but also to nurturing the next generation of voters.
“When I visit schools I can see how many competing demands teachers are struggling with, and how hard it is to find the time and resources to make lessons really topical. That’s why British Gas are offering all teachers easy-to-use lesson plans and interactive resources through Generation Green to help them run mini-elections in classrooms up and down the country. Politicians should take note: start voter engagement with green issues in the classroom if you want to secure your seat in parliament in the long term!”
The British Gas Generation Green schools programme has produced a range of interactive resources to help teachers take the general election, and children’s favourite manifesto topic - the environment - into the classroom to help pupils think about the issues and policies that would win their vote. Teachers can download mock election lesson plans and interactive resources from www.generationgreen.co.uk.
