Changing Horizons in Geography Education - HERODOT Network ...

and learning. Kerala is an exporter of educated people as currently there are not theopportunities within the state of sufficient types of employment.Citizenship teaching and learning is very evident in Kerala from an early age evenwhen children first start school at five years of age. Throughout the primary stagethe citizenship programme is similar to that of the UK. Young children learn aboutthemselves, their health, diet, exercise, relationships, caring and sharing. Respect forthe environment is also started at this stage. As children become older the concept ofdemocracy is explored with examples in some schools of school councils voting forform captains and making joint decisions. In the secondary stage pupils explore globalcitizenship and the effects of globalisation. They also develop political literacy. Manysee themselves as part of the global scene, contributors to a better understanding ofthe issues that affect global development. This is though very much dependent onthe type of jobs and level of education they aspire to and the ability to find placesin the best schools.Our visit in 2004 was during the run up to the national elections and we sawevidence of many people exercising their democratic rights with a real interest in afully participating democracy. There were street demonstrations and rallies on behalfof the different political parties and a lively debate in the local and national press.Many of the well educated young people of Kerala see their futures in developedcountries especially North America, Western Europe and the Gulf States and in themore industrially developed parts of India. We feel there is enormous potential indeveloping links with educational institutions in Kerala to promote a better understandingbetween our countries and to share our understanding of the importanceof global citizenship issues in education. Geography can clearly take a lead withpromoting global citizenship in the primary curriculum.The prospects for developing international links are good at the present time.The UK government through the British Council and the Department for InternationalDevelopment have a number of programmes that support schools and highereducation to develop intercultural links. A further initiative, jointly promoted bythe British Council and the Times Education Supplement in 2005 called “Make theLink”, is highlighting examples of good practice and provides a “how to” guide tohelp educational establishments. With the growing interest in globalisation issuesand in particular the relationships between rich and poor countries, this is a god timeto consider developing links and exchanging ideas.References1. CRICK B. 2000. Essays on Citizenship. London. Continuum.2. DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. 1999. Human Rights: Education forcitizenship in primary schools. Manchester.3. FLEW A. 2000. Education for Citizenship. London. Institute of Economic Affairs.Studies in Education No. 10.4. GARRATT D., PIPER H. 2002. The Myth of the British Monarchy: Education for Citizenshipor Subjecthood. Paper presented at BERA Exeter 2002.5. GRIMWADE K. 2000. Geography and the New Agenda. Sheffield. Geographical Association.274