Premium
The debate over the National Curriculum for history in England and Wales, 1989–90: the role of the press
Author(s) -
Jones Gareth Elwyn
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the curriculum journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.843
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1469-3704
pISSN - 0958-5176
DOI - 10.1080/09585170050200549
Subject(s) - syllabus , curriculum , national curriculum , newspaper , politics , government (linguistics) , prime minister , subject (documents) , political science , national education , public administration , legislature , sociology , media studies , law , pedagogy , library science , philosophy , linguistics , computer science
The construction of a history curriculum for England and for Wales under the terms of the 1988 Education Reform Act occasioned more debate in the media than any other subject in the National Curriculum. The links between the content of a history syllabus and perceptions within both nations of the part this plays in moulding national spirit made this inevitable. The disparity of view between the two groups charged with devising the syllabus and the government, particularly the Prime Minister, heightened the tension. This article explores the way in which consequent political, professional and public discussion was covered in the whole range of national newspapers. It is argued that the failure of the London press to comprehend the situation in Wales reduced significantly its appreciation of the processes involved in the making of the history curriculum.