School Pupils Should Study Free Speech, Report Suggests

Schools in England should teach "core British values" alongside cultural diversity, a report says.

A review of how schools teach citizenship found that there was not enough emphasis on British identity and history. The report, by Sir Keith Ajegbo, says pupils should study free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said schools should "play a leading role in creating community cohesion".

In light of the Celebrity Big Brother row over racism, Johnson noted that schools should do more to teach core British values, noting that the "ignorance and bigotry" shown on the Channel 4 reality show must be tackled.

The treatment of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty has revealed the need for schools to foster good community relations, he added.

The Archbishop of York joined the racism row last week when he said there is an "ugly underbelly in society only too ready to point the finger at the foreigner, or those who might not fit in".

Jade Goody, who was evicted from the show by a public vote, has apologised for her behaviour.

In an interview with the News of the World, Ms Goody said that she
did not think she was racist, "but I accept I made racist comments," she added.

She also admitted that she bullied Ms Shetty. Her fees for the programme and the newspaper interview are being donated to charity.

Mr Johnson said: "The current debate over Big Brother has highlighted the need to make sure our schools focus on the core British values of justice tolerance.

"We want the world to be talking about the respect and understanding we give all cultures, not the ignorance and bigotry shown on our TV screens."