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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE BY DEPUTY J.M. MAÇON OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 6th OCTOBER 2009
Question
Given recent incidents of anti social behaviour amongst young people, what consideration, if any, has the Minister given to the introduction of parenting classes within the citizenship/
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum? Answer
The question the Deputy has asked relates to two areas that are already individually addressed in the PSHE curriculum. These areas are parenting and citizenship. The work prepares pupils to be responsible parents and active citizens in the Island.
There is research to link anti social behaviour to parenting but there are many other underlying issues that need to be dealt with. These issues are directly tackled through the Citizenship area of the PSHE programme of study.
In Jersey the school ethos and culture are centrally essential in promoting a sense of community. Schools model how young people should relate constructively with each other. This allows the students to develop good habits in terms of how they conduct themselves and demonstrate respect for others. Alongside this schools actively foster links with the wider community. This will include the States and Honorary Police and other agencies.
An extremely valuable addition to the school curriculum is the involvement of the community police officer. They support lessons across all key stages in secondary schools. They focus on preventative work and this is of great benefit.
Citizenship deals with the holistic development of the individual into an active citizen. This work runs through primary schools and into secondary schools. The main focus is developing values and beliefs. Relevant topic areas would include: getting on with others, family beliefs and customs, understanding values, challenging racism and discrimination and being part of the community.
The ways schools approach parenting is appropriate to each particular year group. General areas that will be addressed include relationships and family. An excellent project is run in conjunction with Brook in Jersey entitled "Baby; Think it over."
Examples of specific topics on parenting are;
Year 8: A: 6 week course on parenting which includes: when it is a good time to start a family; how a baby changes parents' lives and the responsibilities involved with being a parent. Year 10: the consequences of unplanned pregnancy, and difficulties of bringing up a child alone.
In addition to the work by teachers in schools there are two excellent examples of external agencies providing guidance. The "Prison. Me. No Way!" organisation works with every school and deals directly with the consequences of behaviour across many issues. This work is very successful. Also the Parenting classes at the Bridge provide parents with practical guidance in dealing with their own children. Schools often make parents aware of the existence of parenting classes.
In conclusion, I am confident that schools are preparing pupils, through the PSHE curriculum, to be active citizens and responsible parents.