Britain | Past tense

A new history curriculum will not cool the culture wars

England’s “model curriculum” has already started arguments

Now re-opened after months of closure during the Coronavirus pandemic, one of the first young visitors who have pre-booked free tickets, once again enjoy the Elgin Marbles and other historical artifacts in the British Museum, on 2nd September 2020, in London, England. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)

Politicians rarely need encouragement to tinker with the school curriculum. Over the past two years pressure to do just that has intensified. In 2020 campaigners energised by the Black Lives Matter movement called for the teaching of slavery and colonialism to be made compulsory in England’s classrooms. A year later a government report said that schools should teach more about the achievements of Britain’s minorities.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Past tense”

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