Controversial proposals to teach compulsory classes on British culture and tradition to secondary school pupils have come under fire.

The Government is considering introducing the classes into the syllabus in a bid to better integrate Muslims into society.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said a better understanding of British values is crucial following the terror attacks on London last year.

In a speech at South Bank University yesterday he announced a six-month review to study how pupils can be given a stronger sense of British identity through citizenship classes.

The Government will also consider whether there should be compulsory lessons for 11-to-16-year-olds about core values such as free speech, democracy, the contributions of different communities and Britain's importance to world culture.

But the proposals have met a frosty reception in Bradford from some religious leaders and teachers.

Khadim Hussain, president of Bradford's Council for Mosques, said: "For 11-to-16-year-olds an extra lesson would be too much for them. If it is by choice, at A level or university, then yes.

"Why dont they try to mix the communities? In inner-city schools 90 per cent of pupils are from ethnic minorities, especially in Bradford.

"If I go to inner-city schools in Bradford I hardly see any white kids.

"How can children understand the values when they don't see each other? You can teach whatever you want but, if children do not experience mixing with each other, what's the point? If they mix and share different occasions with each other that would make a far better society than what we are looking at now."

Mr Khadim said he would be in favour of "social engineering" and abolishing school catchment areas to create a more even balance of ethnic minorities and white children in Bradford schools.

Lyn O'Reilly, head teacher at Tong School in Westgate Hill Street, Bradford, said: "The timetable is so full already with everything we have to cover. The more initiatives the Government puts on us, the more squeezed the timetable becomes.

"This could just be a knee-jerk reaction and impose another initiative which schools will have to manage which is impossible to manage in the time we have. Adding further compulsory subjects also squeezes out other options."

Other critics say the money spent on setting up a new compulsory subject would be better spent elsewhere.

Joan Law, head teacher of Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College, said: "In this school, it's about having a school ethos which cultivates respect for everyone.

"There are some fundamental values which I believe all cultures profess to share about honesty, respect and loyalty.

"I do not think teaching about Britishness' will have any effect whatsoever.

"I think the resources would be better spent looking at the ethos and moral code rather than on another subject."

e-mail: fiona.evans@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

BUT STUDENTS SAY 'YES'
  • Seema Gondalia, 16, of Thornbury: It's a good idea to learn about British traditions. Sometimes parents cannot always be there to teach you about this so I think teachers should help. I would like to see children learning more about the history of Britain.
  • Saquib Hanif, 16, of Bradford Moor: Values should be taught to children but many religions teach them anyway. I am Muslim and I am taught to respect my teachers and people around me and to talk to people properly. I think they should teach more about culture than traditions.
  • Israr Hussain, 16, of Thornbury: I would like to learn about the Olympics, which has lots of different countries and traditions taking part. I would also like to learn about the London Marathon and we should learn all 11 players when England won the World Cup in 1966. Sport is an important aspect of your country.
  • David Keenan, 16, of Thornbury: It's good to know what kind of background you are from. People can say I am British' but do not actually know where it's come from. If someone is talking about religion, it's good to know what they are talking about. I think it will stop a lot of conflict if you learn about Britishness'. People will see how similar we are and just get on rather than fighting about stupid things.
  • Najum Rasheed, 16, of Thornbury: You have to understand your own background so you can represent your tradition, religion and culture. It would help build a multi-faith society. I would like to learn about different people, from different backgrounds and cultures.
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