School is a stimulating environment that shapes the future of every student. Each student in the school should have an opportunity to learn freely without interference. Politics is one of the broad topics in schools that have attracted massive scrutiny by the government. The government has sought to regulate the activities of teachers in school to enable students to think independently. While scrutinizing the activities in school is a good idea, it should not influence how the students debate in school, especially on political matters (Biesta). Besides, every decision taken by the government should be accommodative for all, every group should be included in the decision-making process. It seems that the minority groups are most affected by the political decisions showing great impartiality by the government. However, government involvement in running educational institutions may be necessary if teachers are involved in manipulating the students.
In the two articles, the role of the government is evident. Though the two articles have contrasting viewpoints, the government takes center stage in regulating what teachers in school do. In the ‘Guardian article,’ the government has put in place radical strategies to curb politics in schools, while the initiative is good, it seems it may have negative repercussions, especially to the minority students (Au 639-651). In the article in ‘Daily Mail,’ the government seems to revoke its earlier stand by stating that teachers should not coerce the student in a particular mode of thinking, but should leave them decide independently. Regardless of the viewpoint, the role of the government is significantly emphasized. However, the two articles also present contrasting ideas. In the article in the ‘Guardian,’ restriction on political topics may bring negative consequences, especially to the minority or the polarized group. For instance, such students may lack an environment where they can debate contentious political issues (Adams). Such moves inhibit them from the ability to explore social media and make meaningful sense from ideas following minimalized teacher involvement. In that sense, government involvement is unnecessary since it might incapacitate the ability of the teacher to respond and tackle critical issues like racism. However, in the second article in ‘Daily Mail,’ the government seeks to root out activist teachers who influence children negatively. Nadhim Zahawi categorizes that there will be established guidance about the presentation of opposing views (Wynn-Davies). The underlying concern by the education secretary was that even younger children aged just ten were allowed to write letters to the Prime Minister urging him to resign. He argued that it was wrong and that children should be given opportunities to shape their views. He maintained that it’s part of democracy to enable children to have independent political views as they grow up.
Conclusively, regulation of operation in schools by the government is quite a good idea. The involvement ensures that the learning environment meets the required standard and the student receives the right content. However, the move by the government to curb political topics seems quite overboard. Mostly, oppression starts like that. In such cases, the casualties are the minority groups because they are the predominant individuals affected by political impartiality, like the latest movement dubbed ‘Black Lives Matter.’ Curbing political activities may also limit the capability of the teachers to respond to critical issues like discrimination. However, it is also necessary for the teachers to allow the students to think for themselves. The reason why people go to school is to become independent thinkers. It is not ideal if the learners are swayed towards a particular viewpoint. Manipulation should be avoided both in school and at home. Primarily, the government is necessary, but should be limited to situations related to manipulation; it should not get involved in how teachers run their affairs in class.
Work Cited
Au, Wayne. “Devising inequality: A Bernsteinian analysis of high-stakes testing and social reproduction in education.” British Journal of Sociology of Education, 29, 2008 639–651.10.1080/01425690802423312
Adams, Richards. “Curbing Political Topics in English Schools Will Harm Minority Student, say critics.” The Guardian. 2022.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/feb/18/curbing-political-topics-in-english-schools-will-harm-minority-students-say-critics
Biesta, Gert. Good education in an age of measurement: Ethics, political democracy. London: Paradigm. 2010.
Wynn-Davies. “Education Not Indoctrination Nadhim Zahawi Tells Schools To Root Out Activist Teachers ‘Brainwashing’ Children After Claims of ‘Worryng’ Race Lessons and Pupils as Young as 10 Urged to write Critical Letters About the PM in Class.” Mail Online. 2022. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10507915/Nadhim-Zahawi-tells-schools-root-activist-teachers-brainwashing-children.html.
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