School peace studies
Sir,—Comments by Stanley Newman (November 8) opposing peace studies in schools because of alleged political bias are unfounded. To suggest that teachers set about deliberately influencing the political views of pupils is a slur on their professional integrity. Teachers of social studies and history naturally enough do teach about politics. However, this is carried out in an objective way, examining issues in a logical fashion. This serves as useful training for the rational consideration of wider issues later in life. Peace studies are far. from political. They usually begin with the study of peace on a personal level; or why there is conflict and how to resolve it. From that standpoint it broadens and encompasses peace on national and international levels. Last week, the Christchurch Area Social Studies Teachers Association (CASSTA) invited Mr Newman to be a member of a panel discussing all aspects of peace studies as they pertain to social studies. At the last minute he chose not to do so unless the media were present. — Yours, etc., ROSS DOWLING, Secretary, CASSTA. November 11, 1985. Sir,—Mr Stanley Newman’s outburst against peace studies does nothing for his image as a social scientist. As one he should be aware children are capable of reasoning about what is happening in the world around them. If it is intended that the peace studies are to give them the real facts about the responsibility for the danger of nuclear war, such studies are needed. It is doubtful if many intermediate school children accept, even now, Mr Newman’s idea that nuclear war is something they should not be afraid of. Nor his idea that they should, or can, stay in a happy politically neutral condition till they leave school. Mr Newman obviously hopes that schools will continue to treat history in ways that either bore children stiff or embed in them the jingoist distortion of patriotism, nowadays taking the form of “Reagan right or wrong.” — Yours, etc.,
R. TATE. November 12, 1985.
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Press, 13 November 1985, Page 20
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331School peace studies Press, 13 November 1985, Page 20
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