The "Decolonise Education" movement is dangerous and demoralising. It must be rejected.

This week's #NCFCounterCulture panel discuss the concept of "decolonising education".
Panel:
Katharaine Birbalsingh
Calvin Robinson
Alice Grant
Rafe Heydel-Mankoo
---------------
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[@johnwillis9534]

Forget your history and surrender your future "what a good idea".

[@paulbriody297]

I'm British, English actually, and I think the History curriculum/syllabus ought to recognise that Britain is essentially a white nation historically. Now we have an immigrant population, 8% Indian I believe and only 3% black. So, why should we alter the teaching of history? What valid reason is there? I do not accept inclusivity, a word that can mean so many things. This is Britain, to live here is to be British, which means that you received a BRITISH Education. If you want to explore your Afro-Caribbean roots, move to the Caribbean. I am living in Taiwan, if I send my children to a school here, they will be taught Chinese and Taiwanese history, that's fine. If we moved in more whites, would we have the right to insist on changes? Sounds awfully colonial!

[@pamcollins2178]

@@realitycheck4086, I agree. I was born and live in the United States. But my ethnicity is British Isles. Being ‘American’ is not an ethnicity, rather an idea. I have family who left Lancashire Scotland in 1647 to come to Maryland. In all probability I have relatives, then, in Scotland to this day. When my husband and I visited Scotland last year it felt like home to me. My DNA hales from the British isles.

[@Rosshannah1695]

Pam, I'm Scottish, do you mean Lanarkshire?? Lancaster is in England. The 1640s is the time of the Jacobite rebellion and English persecution of the Scots. We barely get taught our own history, let alone anyone else's as current SNP Gov't here doesn't like the "Nationalist" part of Scottish National Party...

[@pamcollins2178]

@@Rosshannah1695 , i double checked my records and see that either auto correct put in the wrong name of the area or I did. David Lindsey (my grandpa, many times removed) left Angushire, Scotland & sailed to the state of Maryland. However, Scotland no longer has an Angushire area, does it? I read something about now you have what’s called council areas? The Shires were replaced in 1972 with council areas? Thanks for taking the time to converse with me. My husband and I visited Scotland last year and visited areas from which our genealogy says my family lived.

[@paulbriody297]

@@Rosshannah1695 our history should be prioritised.

[@FHIPrincePeter]

The entire map of AFRICA was designed at the Berlin Conference by Europeans in 1885, Africans are living with the consequences of this imposition to this day. The Caribbean population and other places such as America Latin and North have been shaped by European intervention. The very Fact you have Black people with names such as White, McDonald, Williams, Evens, Sweeny is an indelible scar from Slavery. This was until the TV Series of Roots in the late 1970's swept under the carpet. I agree with the teaching of British History but the Empire is a big part of British history Good and Bad. Many Black people are living with the legacy that history on a daily basis.

[@somethingintheair5373]

'The idea that they would bother to go on their gap year to help people on a council estate in Nuneaton wouldn't come into their heads. It's got to be Namibia or somewhere else because that would make them feel good'. LOL That did make me laugh! And it's so true!!!

[@jfelton4153]

@Logan - don't be stupid. You are implying that people of colour can afford their own homes and don't need social housing. Where were you brought up?

[@hansiesma16]

Because the council estates of anywhere in UK would simply bend over to welcome a student and their 2 week charity into their lives. I can't think why anyone would choose Namibia over Nuneanton..... Going anywhere to put it on your CV is something dreamt up by careers advice and schools and parents latch on and endorse it. Most 18 year olds won't give a shit and are just desperate to break out for a year and live life. Helping people in council estates is the job of government after all they put them there. This government will have you believe its your job, after saving the NHS of course.

[@mooseyman74]

I was watching the home office discussion on illegal migrants, the two charity girls helping migrants in Calais with legal advice, etc, were asked why they weren't helping homeless in the UK.

[@hansiesma16]

@@mooseyman74 Where do you direct your charity? And is it ok for me to criticise it as if it were not your decision, and yours alone?

[@mooseyman74]

@@hansiesma16 I believe in putting your own house in order first, but as you say each to their own

[@domfrancis3140]

I can remember when the government encouraged schools to put more energy into teaching black students, particularly boys, in the more recent years it has been pointed out that white boys are falling behind. Regardless of colour when it comes to education, we should be taught equally and encouraged to learn about British history.

[@Porkcylinder]

I don’t remember being taught ‘white history’

[@patchpeek]

Dont they teach 'Battle of Hastings' any more then?

[@Porkcylinder]

patchpeek duh 🙄

[@normaodenthal8009]

Does anybody have to completely obliterate oneself in order to make the other comfortable? What an insult to the other, while basking in one’s own false virtue. Mutual understanding cannot be reached between a nobody and a somebody. Ignorance of oneself and others will only lead to misunderstandings and more entrenched ignorance.

[@brigittewatkins5059]

I have to respectfully disagree. I think that understanding ourselves is often done through the lens of how we understand others - and we understand others through the lens that we understand ourselves. Its a cycle and I think a beautiful part of our knowledge acquisition as humans Maybe this is different for everyone. But I think having a wide-angled perspective allows you to better understand people and in turn, yourself.

[@normaodenthal8009]

@@brigittewatkins5059 I totally agree that we come to an understanding of ourselves by understanding and getting to really know others. There is no me without we. What I did say, is that we do not have to obliterate ourselves or deny who we are because we erroneously think we have to do this to make others comfortable. We should not have to denigrate ourselves to elevate others. The reverse is, of course, also true. Any inauthenticity is merely a false posturing that leads only to misunderstanding and is an impediment to any genuine connection with others.

[@monsieurlewop]

My nephew is 33. As far as I can tell the history he 'studied' at school was the ancient Egyptians (African, therefore black, therefore admirable), slavery (no comment needed), Mary Seacole (possibly the most towering figure in British history) and the Nazis (naturally), and he would be hard-pressed to put these in chronological order. Yeah, we've really been promoting white supremacy for decades, clearly.

[@laa4438]

I'm slightly older. We were taught about slavery , the Egyptians ( in history , art class and drama) islam . and obviously bible stories are based in the middle east / egypt. We had a show on indian shadow puppiets when I was in infants & did lessons based on that . We only had 1 black child in any of my schools , a few pakistani children , and a few chinese ( taught nothing on east asian history though) We might have done something on the aztecs. and the usual tudors ,romans victorians and WWII

[@sciencefliestothemoon2305]

So in principle he was thought barely anything. Explains a lot. I was thaught from paleolithic times to the modern era. There was a certain european/mediterrean focus but we did hear about Aztecs, Mayas, Incas, the "conquest" of the Americas, some East Asian, Indian, and what was known from Africa. Pretty broad and everyone could put it in a timescale. Wasn't educated in an english speaking country

[@monsieurlewop]

@@sciencefliestothemoon2305 You should consider yourself fortunate not to have enjoyed a British state education. Wherever they are in the world I think all children should be taught sufficient geography and history to locate themselves in space and time at the least.

[@sciencefliestothemoon2305]

@@monsieurlewop I do believe me. This lack of education in history and geography is probably the root of many problems atm

[@monsieurlewop]

@UCbDIWXDp1XRmmy7Db-X_IVA I didn't choose Geography but had it because of timetable problems. It involved two years sitting in a classroom being babysat by a PE teacher.

[@chips1889]

White guilt? Never.

[@marionalice3588]

Alice Grant is a young woman who gives me hope. She is a brilliant orator and stands up for what she believes and lives among young people so she would know best. Simply love Rafe Heydel-Mankoo, what a hero for our country, culture and history. Great show and brilliant contributions, thank you

[@stephenharrison6754]

Hear! Hear! On both points!

[@monsieurlewop]

Where is this mythical place that Katharine speaks of where children are taught that the British Empire was unambiguously good? I attended a state comprehensive in the 70s. The majority of teachers were boomers/68ers and taught us precious little of anything. What they did do was communicate a largely fact-free attitude of disdain for the country and its history. All very sardonic and sophisticated but of no value whatsoever. I can't believe that my experience wasn't widely shared by others of my age.

[@monsieurlewop]

@@scinformation7229 Quite. In Birmingham where I lived the 11-plus was discontinued the year before I would have taken it. We still had grammar schools but those from my background were not even considered. Our destiny was to be guinea-pigs.

[@elphidaiveson1727]

Just because a minority small number of people say this, does not mean we have to or should do anything about it or take any notice of them. In a democracy and yes we are hanging on to it by our nails it has no place. Everyones historical past should be kept alive especially for our youth if only to give the future perspective. Taking away Culture, History etc destroys identity and disrupts society and of course that is exactly what these people are wanting to do.

[@adamtr1026]

There's academics using these dangerous postmodern premises in Australia who legitimately think we should "decolonise". They should be assessing ideas based on their merits, but they don't, preferring to use their idealistic theory to usurp proven practice and even rationality, as we've learned from the dangers of critical race theory

[@luneylane]

British citizen, long-term resident of Taipei here. This makes me so sad. My students can enumerate the planets of the solar system in Chinese and English...at age 12.

[@davidjford1329]

@J C B Thanks, your first point was what I was trying to express exactly. I think elements in the British educational establishment may have forgotten that many children enjoy being challenged and to compete against their peers to learn more.

[@jesperburns]

@J C B Much more? That's 16 words. What is the practical use for 99% of humanity to name the planets?

[@jesperburns]

@J C B Now try responding to me without strawmanning.. Did I mention math? Or literature? I stopped reading after that..

[@jesperburns]

@J C B Forcefully memorising factoids for later reproduction (on tests) is not a great way to increase brain plasticity. I just read your entire comment, and you're right, music and language does do that. (Interesting fact about languages: learning 3 Germanic SVO languages (like I did) is less beneficial for brain plasticity than learning English, Japanese and Hebrew.) However, on "sport"; it's been demonstrated that this both aides knowledge acquisition (of dry facts like "name this planet"), as is an exercise in brain plasticity on its own (again, more variety is better). The idea that learning math related logic translates to anything worthwhile in later life (in relation to "brain mapping" as you call it) has been largely debunked. There's also interesting studies on playing computer games that demonstrate beneficial effects on decision making speed under stress. What is important though is that children understand why they are doing certain things, which just isn't happening at the moment with "here, memorise this table of 3". However when you connect it to playing darts the result is spectacular. So yes, I'm all for encouraging brain plasticity exercises but naming a bunch of planets isn't among that.

[@chrisaltman3113]

History at primary school used to be about the many invasions of the UK by others - eg the Romans, Vikings, battles between the countries and tribes of Great Britain, fighting off countries trying to invade and not succeeding and the various royal families. I think it was designed to make people feel proud of their country and history - something which seems to be a huge no-no these days

[@alanthorpe3640]

The British did not fight off the Romans. The Roman’s brought their higher standards here and when they left everything deteriorated because the British were too thick to maintain the higher standards. That is the history that should have been taught and it is not even taught today.

[@JF-pq7ch]

I honestly would have loved to learn about this!

[@danielshagman]

@@alanthorpe3640 "too thick"??? Or alternatively, left to their own devices without the huge financial clout of the empire behind them, to be attacked from all angles (there's a pun in there but I doubt you'll get it) by Western European tribes. It's ironic that you think the ancient Britons were "too thick". I'm sure they'd hold your level of intellect in really high regard.

[@chrisaltman3113]

@@JF-pq7ch It is great going to visit places which one learned about as kids. Understanding the Roman and Viking links to place names and in awe at the Roman buildings and inventions which still remain and have positively influenced the development of British civilisation

[@lalaholland5929]

My nieces never heard classical music at school or at home; they refuse to hear it now (they are in their late 20s) - same as black and white movies. Toronto. We weren't in a position to introduce/influence them.

[@boudicca9807]

What a pity that the sound quality of Calvin's contribution was so bad. From the bits I picked up he seemed to have some excellent points.

[@monsieurlewop]

It's rare for Rafe to get anything wrong but it was the Thatcher government that contributed to the degradation of the education system by abolishing O-levels in favour of GCSEs and promoting the expansion of higher education, which accelerated under Major when every two-bit college was allowed to rebrand itself as a university. Blair is loathsome and things got immeasurably worse under his regime but he didn't start it.

[@somethingintheair5373]

Alice Grant. What a beautiful and intelligent young lady!

[@wicksp335]

Where was she educated, or have her parents given her the insight and understanding she has? She's a breath of fresh air

[@chrisaltman3113]

And a hope for the future if more young people think like her

[@mooseyman74]

Classy

[@mariarossi6719]

@@scinformation7229 It was. She was once a student of mine and was always highly intelligent back then.

[@suttonformutton6094]

Never ending conversations about all the problems that have been created in this country since the 1950s. We should be talking about ways to get this country back to the morality and the society we had back then. A society that denigrates its own history has gone very wrong somewhere down the line.

[@alanthorpe3640]

Absolutely. Thomas Sowell has said of poverty that it is our natural state. He says we should be concentrating on what gets us out of poverty, which is creating wealth. All the l left wants to do is redistribute wealth and they have no idea how to create it. The right is not much better, they don’t like distribution but they have no idea how to create more.

[@ijclark]

“They should teach British History.” “We’re going to stop teaching the Seven Wonders and focus on local British History.” “No, not like that.”

[@earthstick]

'Tolerance of other faiths.' What if those other faiths are intolerant? There lies the problem, it is contradictory. Perhaps a better value would be tolerant of those who are tolerant.

[@richln9682]

I noticed recently that my niece, a very bright girl who's recently completed a history degree at Oxford, had shared a 'decolonise the (history) curriculum' e-mail which she had just passed on to her old C/E comprehensive. I asked her what it was all about, but in the course of the discussion it became obvious that there were (to me, a non-historian) quite incredible gaps in her historical knowledge, at least as far as an Oxford history graduate might be concerned. Not only could she not name the king executed in 1649, she wasn't sure in which century the English Civil War had occurred, nor indeed whether there'd been one at all. Furthermore, the Battle of Bosworth and its significance were news to her, never heard of it. She HAD heard of Magna Carta, but that was as far as it went. It rang a muffled bell, but she could not provide any context for it whatsoever. Lord only knows what else she doesn't know about the history of her country, and I didn't feel like going further into the matter. If that's the extent of the knowledge of elite historians who've studied at Oxford, what of everyone else?

[@winniewotsit4452]

Great discussion and guests - Alice Grant made my day - I just wish there were more young folks like her..

[@sutters7251]

peanut butter a truly terrifying description of secondary school life for girls. As the father of a pretty, girlie ballerina and gymnast I am concerned about boys exposure to pornography and popular culture that degenerate the mind and image of women as sexual favour objects. Back this up with a hip hop culture that reinforces the message and the behaviour becomes abhorrent. WAP by Cardi B is a an example of the poison. In the US Joe Biden chose her to simper up to to gain more black and culturally indoctrinated white youth to the democrat cause. It shows how the left does not care about the moral fabric of the western societies. Only indoctrination of future voters. Conservatism on the other hand does not resonate with the youth. This needs attention. The decadence and promotion of it is the first sign of the end of civilisations. It has happened to all former empires. I may need to add Brazilian Jiu jitsu to my 7 year old daughters extra curricular activities.

[@paulo1787]

peanut butter hysterical nonsense, you describe Islam and black gang culture, how dare you paint British males like this, it’s not true and has no basis in reality, you need to take another look at the men and boys in your life, if you view them all as psychopathic rapists you are going to miss out on establishing healthy relationships, question how the media constantly describe males and wake up before you add to the problem, don’t blame all men for horrific incidents that are the responsibility of the individuals that committed the offence, how would you like to be continuously blamed for criminal acts that others committed, no you wouldn’t like it, give up some of your power and stop generalising and get to know men and boys individually. Most are good people

[@craigr4763]

Fit AF

[@0r14n583lt]

Beware of “well meaning” Marxists.

[@Ozgipsy]

Katharain, I'm not sure who these whitefellas are you know,but let me guarantee you - I feel no guilt. Only pride.

[@Rab_1967]

Same here. I won the lottery being British and I won't apologise for it or for the actions of the generations before me. I just love this country and this union.

[@jaimem4973]

She’s on Twitter. We have a duty to let her know. She’s one of the less radical teaching our children. Britain as we know it is about disappear under the watch of a Conservative government. Her and her ilk are responsible. They are doing this against the overwhelming opinion of the general public.

[@lyndarowe3441]

@PISTOL PETE so you should be

[@pierrewave7235]

@@jaimem4973 She's only radical inasmuch as she believes in discipline, uniforms and teaching core subjects, she rarely if ever, features on The BBC which always tells you a lot.

[@MsChitterchat]

She isn’t criticising the white fellas. You’ve misunderstood. She is recognising the white males and their contribution.

[@straighttalking2090]

Hurrah for Katharaine Birbalsingh. She does more for interracial harmony - just for being and looking like and speaking like who she is - than any BLM speaker I have heard.

[@wicksp335]

Rafe is absolutely right, he's talking great sense here, Indeed all of the participants are! Great stuff!

[@ewwchoob7122]

Fantastic insights as ever. Alice Grant in particular was extremely articulate and an encouraging sight for sore minds.

[@louisecook6483]

Next it will be LGBT events inclusion in the curriculum, then Trans events in the curriculum, white history will be the least covered. My son did the world wars and yes all cultures were talked about in his work book but as the UK was 90/95% white at that time and it was the same for most European countries at that time so most of the historical main characters will be white as in China they would be Chinese, in Africa they would be black African , white South Africans wouldn't be mentioned , in India they would be Indian, in the middle East they would be indigenous to each country. Why is it that it's the White populations are the ones who have to change our histories etc, take down our statues , change our whole culture and values. All schools should be given what to teach, what to include, how it should be taught. Bring back the 3 R's as the core subjects. Teach British culture and values. Nothing should be based on RACE, everything seems to be based around race now , instead of being just British. Kids should be taught pride in their country, history, British values whatever their colour. By racialising everything brings back segregation and causes Racism, not harmony and integration. The ' left ' are extremely racist and do not believe BAME people cannot be racist so they are being extremely racist thinking that it's perfectly acceptable and ok. Too many teachers are progressive Marxists and these are the politics they are pushing onto our children which is devisive narcissistic and wrong. My son didn't want to go to uni because he felt he would get beaten up , assaulted, hated on all because he thinks like the young lady on the program and is very conservative. He decided to do his course from home and work too as he felt HE would be safer which is a sad state of affairs

[@pdtraill]

Jokingly said "Decolonise microbiology" to some people I know when we were talking about this, and they agreed that we should.

[@monsieurlewop]

I can believe it. Joking or satire is practically impossible.

[@MsChitterchat]

Katherine is brilliant. Thankful someone is trying to turn things around.

[@richardlonghurst5423]

Please reconsider putting your splash screen on for so long. Deaf people, such as myself, cannot access subtitles while this is on. We are totally dependant on subtitle to enjoy your videos. Please consider deaf people.

[@richardlonghurst5423]

@@edwardst-pierre1020 what a rediculous question.

[@drmarianne8290]

Alice Grant is a brilliant mind, and so beautiful too! Can't believe she's only just taken her A-levels. A future PM in the making if I ever did see one!

[@Mute040404]

In the 70's I was taught about Tudor & Victorian times but nothing about the Empire, either of the World Wars, let alone Regiments .. There's a lot to cover in British history . Neigh on impossible to cover everything.. Don't remember being taught to be proud of our numerous achievements & inventions (more than any other nation)

[@barriejackson3294]

Start by making Katharaine Birbalsingh Minister for Education - and she could start by teaching the Cabinet about being proud about being British. Her ideas are absolutely spot on. Our education system needs a complete overhaul and the teaching unions need to be de-militarised.

[@tbonesteak7058]

Alice is a wonderful example of a positive bright young lady who champions truth over the degradation of the left.

[@Stafford674]

One worry is whether teachers are telling children of colour who were born in UK that they are not really British. That is on problem of WOKE in schools.

[@MFTU268]

Stafford Campbell Implicitly..they are.

[@ironfelix2963]

Britain is a geographical space not a race. So a black child born in Britain is British!

[@abc-qv1pe]

@@ironfelix2963 No they are not, most will even tell you that they are Nigerian, Ghanaian, etc. Being British is being English, Irish Scottish or Welsh, it is purely genetics, passed down to us over thousands of years.

[@Stafford674]

@@ironfelix2963 Quite

[@Stafford674]

If you are born in UK and have UK citizenship then you are entitled to call yourself British.

[@walfordhome2635]

As Malcolm Muggeridge said “travel narrows the mind” . I used not to understand it but looking at many young people I do.

[@ritahailstone5607]

We need more teachers like this lady.

[@ritahailstone5607]

I like this reacher because she loves Britain and she does not brainwash the children with anti British left wing propaganda.

[@kirstymacfarlane3317]

What I would say to the pushers of the BAME "agenda" is, "Welcome to the club!" As a Gaelic-speaking Scot, I have been called a "Teuchter" all my life and my native language and church (the Free Church of Scotland) derided and mocked and this is something that continues to this day. I grew up having to listen to and to read history books (still the case today) referring to the Queen of England and how England won the war, etc. Empire/Commonwealth nations and soldiers are not unique in being written out of history by the British establishment and academia. I believe the situation is improving but, as a primary school teacher, I would also point out that if we don't know what teachers are teaching, then the system is too lax. Teachers should no more be allowed to decolonise history any more than they should be allowed to foist their views on veganism, religion or climate change on young children. The purpose of primary school is surely to make children literate and numerate, not to treat them as empty vessels into which the state or leftist individuals can pour their own particular views. That is indoctrination, not education. Above all, a liberal education should teach young people to listen, research, question and then make up their own minds. We used to have such a system but have allowed it to be destroyed.

[@warty3620]

Alice seems to be the wisest out of the lot of them (in this discussion). Her conservatism gives me hope for the future.

[@laughingalien]

Me, too.

[@drummondstuart8371]

Aalnother good video!! Nice to see Calvin Robinson and Alice Grant taking part! Two really bright ,free thinking youngsters , who are believers in free speech and Britain , and free enterprise I am 62, Scottish , and have met a lot of 18to 25 years age group( friends of my 25 years old son) , almost to a man( or woman) , are S.N.P. supporters , do not like free enterprise and wealth , and do NOT give a hoot about free speech! So these two people are refreshing that they can think for themselves!!!!😎

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

Great discussion. Fancy going to a school that sings the National Anthem, et al; no wonder the Left hate you. Keep on doing what you're doing and thank you.

[@nywvblue]

A brilliant conversation! And a real balm for my CRT-weary soul. Thank you, all.

[@sutters7251]

I can understand the point Katherine is making at the end. I don’t recognise this in myself I do not feel guilty for the past. I see the past as a series of events that lead to now. The beneficiary effect of the events cannot be quantified. My immediate circumstances are primarily effected by my daily choices since my birth and maybe my ancestors choices going back maybe three generations. I work in the offshore industry. I earn good Money and I can trace this back to a number of good choices I made and my parents pushing me to study a technical trade. My cousin is black, he grew up in Tottenham, secondary school educated. He has a Ugandan mother, and a white British father. He was taught discipline, studied martial arts, always completed his homework, decided not to socialise on the streets of Tottenham and was targeted by local gangs and pressurised into joining them. He resisted at risk to his personal safety and then could no longer walk the streets but would have to get Taxis and be driven everywhere. He excelled at school because of his work ethic and values. He decided to listen to his parents and his parents taught him well. He now works for British Aerospace as a systems designer and recruitment specialist. All boys in Tottenham had the same opportunities as him. The difference is, if the culture at home is wrong they are not taught the correct values. Or they decide to ignore these values taught by their parents and make bad choices. We are in charge of our own destiny. If you consider yourself a victim you will never succeed. British values at their core will produce productive morally strong people. Remove these and you will produce a lost people. You don’t have to be white, you don’t have to be born here. Belonging is a choice that will lead to a set of behaviours that will foster further good choices and successes.

[@johnleckieWATP]

I say again this lady should be in charge of our education system.

[@pennybaker3572]

What a wonderful & brave young girl: the young who are willing to speak out are by far the most honest.

[@kazisabel1]

Excellent show, thanks very much

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

I was at school in the 1960s and there was no whitewashing of history. I knew about the many nationalities who fought with us during the war, and the slave trade was included in the curriculum. The important part Britain played in bringing common law and democracy to many parts of the world and abolishing the slave trade was also there. Now, everything seems to be about race and seeing people as only their racial identity.

[@Porkcylinder]

Are they going to learn about the grooming gangs too?

[@MsChitterchat]

Please call them rape gangs. Grooming is far too soft sounding.

[@newalbion1497]

That was a brilliant debate ! I think very fair and knowledgable and not overly bias. There was a good equilibrium of opinion that addressed these subjects quite fairly. Oh and P.S Alice is stunningly good looking & attractive 😄👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@Mrbobinge]

Primary school teacher, Croydon UK 1950. She showed a photo and asked us about the roofs on African village huts. Why are they wavy (corrugated) like that? 'Cos of the rain, Miss?' said I. That moment of brilliance is carved into the brain. The map location was Angola in SW Africa (we later emigrated to Rhodesia). Angola, it sounds so Colonial. Look it up, it is native derived. Writer DH Lawrence had been a teacher at that same ordinary school in 1908.

[@ccjelley2390]

The skills required in the future technocratic age will be mathematical And my observation is that woke teaching is holding black children back in that area. Also, I wouldn't like to be taught by someone - Birbalsingh - who doesn't know the difference between "sitting" and "sat".

[@pennylando3145]

I know three teachers, none of whom are left-wing. I wouldn't say that they pretend to be Labour voters but they simply minimise their contribution to staff room chatter if it becomes political. None of their colleagues know that they are Tory voters, which makes me wonder just how many might be like these three, i.e. sitting quietly in staff rooms, appearing by omission to be Labour voters simply to keep the peace?

[@James-iz9qb]

By God I will re-conquer this civilisation myself if Alice would be suitably impressed

[@matthewrobson1747]

The young lady is great she is so smart

[@fofffffffffffffff]

The truly wonderful Katherine does seem at times to be keeping her belly aching 'race card' up her sleeve for emergency use.

[@MsChitterchat]

Actually I think it’s clever of her to so that, because she acknowledges that there was a problem with the way history was taught (whitewashed) and now she acknowledges things have got silly. This helps the left leaning come round. It’s a good bridging technique. She’s a dominant character, that’s why she’s in her job. She’s a leader.

[@jwadaow]

@@MsChitterchat She is yesterdays progressive, horrified that the culture of global homogeneity is being rejected.

[@shelleyhockley-hills9917]

Talking to my Grandson 15 recently I mentioned The signing of the Treaty of Arbroath had he heard if it? (when Scotland and England were separate countries that fought wars up to unification into the United Kingdom... with the signing of this Treaty in 1726). He replied: "Oh Grandma. We don't do History in school any more"!! My jaw hit the floor ...and I still haven't recovered.

[@izzyg2696]

Kalvin, please sort out your mic. It is such a shame I could not hear all your comments as you were cutting out.

[@enezjaniw493]

When I repeated my English GCSE to go to university one of the books was by a black author, (Benjamin something I am afraid I can't remember) I haven't read a book by a black author since.

[@edmorrison5645]

I have no idea what the race of most of the authors I read is, nor do I care. Do you check before you read?

[@enezjaniw493]

@@edmorrison5645 No but I normally show enough interest that I research the author which is how I can say that.

[@fartloudYT]

if as many people were as critical to ottoman invasion and expansion then quran would have been banned long time ago.

[@scarlet8078]

I thought this video was going to be about education systems in places that were formerly British colonies, like India & various islands. Imagine my dismay to find out that it was about "decolonizing" the UK's OWN educational system.🤣 Now that I'm an adult, I understand how blessed I was to have parents who sent me to private school (Taft, in the US). We learned all history, from the ancients to the European monarchs, & we learned the Western Canon as identified by the scholar Harold Bloom. Shakespeare & Chaucer wrote diverse characters - including women - in a way that was ahead of their time. I strongly recommend either sending your children to private school or supplementing their education by making them read through the Western Canon that Bloom identified. He wrote a book about the authors & suggested works, & it's summarized on Wikipedia so you could create your own curriculum for free. Most of the books can be obtained from archive dot org or Project Gutenberg

[@orkneyancestor2059]

The BBC "top" employees should have guilt regarding their salaries

[@stephenbrookes7268]

It is very important to note that pretty much everything regarding British history that is being highlighted as bad were all carried out by the aristocracy for their own benefit. The ordinary folks of Britain did not do those things!

[@polemeros]

There is no underestimating the combo of dependency and vengeful spite that drives the POCs. Separation from them is our only future.

[@james_150_]

A really interesting discussion. There is definitely a case for promoting hidden histories in our national story, such as the contribution of the South Asian, African and Caribbean soldiers who fought for Britain in the wars. However, the "Decolonisation" trend is a massive overreach, either downplaying or not teaching important people in our history under the patronising belief that kids of a different ethnicity cannot understand them. It's the bigotry of low expectations.

[@ramonek9109]

Britain is and has never been a colonizer IN Britain, obviously. The curriculum is not colonial but native. If you as a foreign group want to push this aside in favour of your stuff than you are the colonizer.

[@shepchester3567]

Picking up on the point that the rather excellent Calvin put forward i.e. the far left has gone full circle re racial superiority. Are we also heading towards full circle, regarding the view and concept of segregation? I'm not condoning it, but could that be the logical conclusion of current atmosphere and narrative of interracial affair's?

[@robertmuncaster3510]

It’s not only Shakespeare that formed our thought and language, the King James Bible used to do that too. I have been reading the later novels of Charlotte Bronte recently, I imagine most of the Biblical references pass unrecognised in today’s world.

[@garydansie6625]

Absolutely agree that British values should be promoted! Because,these values are being eroded, and our country is suffering because of it!

[@danielfinch362]

My daughter loves history, she spent one year studying history at college. Her complaint was that the tutor was not teaching in chronological order. This was an issue for her.

[@davec605]

What a powerful woman Katharine Birbalsingh is, she sounds like a fantastic Headteacher that empowers her pupils and staff.

[@DaboooogA]

Good discussion

[@petermathieson5692]

Kudos to the calm, thoughtful and articulate woman on this panel. I am not referring to the shrill, haughty one who laughs at her own (lame) jokes. She's done a great job at her school, but on this panel, she's out of her depth.

[@AB-mo9ku]

Great discussion!

[@rich5354]

There is no excuse for not having knowledge in these days of the internet. It must come down to wanting to gain knowledge. Unfortunately most of the younger generation that I come across are just narsasistic.

[@kenricnarbrough8191]

Its a pity about the sound issues but another excellent discussion, thanks TNCFC.

[@DonkUK]

I struggle to listen to people when they start by saying "I think" not I know!!

[@lindaholland4896]

Our children are being taught English history , kings, queens and great people in our past like Winston Churchill and such like....as we are English that makes perfect sense to me.. that is what history is...

[@valthirteen]

Excellent discussion. Calvin particularly identifies specific areas such as "British Values" (democracy, rule of law, freedom of expression, habeas corpus and Magna Carta) that are colonel to the discussion. Raf's "Faulty Towers" analogy was particularly drole. (n.b.The sound quality from Calvin's end was abysmal.)

[@orkneyancestor2059]

The student's globetrotting is often funded by EU grants.The universities are not eager to divulge the value of these grants.

[@richardsinclair9449]

That was wonderfully informative and correct... I think that was the best forum you have held... Excellent...

[@fionagregory7040]

Sick of these so called victims.

[@oldtrowt]

My school hymn was "He who would valiant be" to a different music composition. I still love it and sing it with gusto.

[@bad-girlbex3791]

How gorgeous and eloquent and based is Alice? Total breath of fresh air and great to see in a young lady.

[@nickjung7394]

I completely agree with the comments about teacher training. Time to be more careful about selection of those that are educating our children.

[@tomasdawe9379]

I think part of the problem is some of the values that typifies the British ideal, (in my opinion), such as politeness and modesty go against nationalism. People rarely celebrate Britain, as it is not the done thing. It is simply boastful to say you live in the best country in the world, even if it is true, that is why the Proms, new years eve, etc. are so important they are the times when is is expected for you to celebrate your country.

[@timothyhallett6312]

Why would anyone want to ignore the Seven Wonders of the World for any sort of ‘inclusivity’ issue? It was a list by an ancient Greek, which worked as a sort of tourist guide for travellers around the ancient mediterranean world. Also, I have taught history for over 20 years and I have always mentioned the conTribution of the Empire and Dominions in the First World War armies, and the French colonial troops in their armies. After all, my great grandmother’s brother fought in the Canadian forces, so it is quite personal to me.

[@burleybater]

I am not an educator. But I've worked in higher education going on 22 years. I work in a Science and Medicine library. I find more to read than could occupy some several thousand lifetimes. I began life as a precocious child and if I learned anything while terribly young it was to question everything. Which went hand in glove with an insatiable curiosity. Thankfully, I was educated through all of that by fabulous teachers, all of them women, until I washed up in grade eight as a rebellious 13 year old. A man who never tamed the rebel - just re-directed it somewhat. A decent education is the absolute foundation upon which stands tall, an inquiring mind. A mind that out of force of habit, suspects and often mistrusts the howling mob. A mob however, and just by the way, who occupy the same commonly human space that I occupy. Which is an important thing to learn in life. So any idea that a "quick-fix" "get out of school free" card, or some other lame brain idea or attitude that the reason why little Johnny or Jilly can't read, write, learn, grow, expand etc. - is because of "systemic" anything, is a monstrous idea borne by those who quite frankly don't give a good flying shite for little Johnny or Jilly. The tykes are just pawns in a strangely childish grownup game. What makes me bristle is the concerted effort to pave a broad road to educational hell precisely with the intent of preventing children from learning how to think for themselves. Which starts with learning how to learn. I was a rebel kid. It came natural. What didn't come natural to my kid self and never would, is the idea that the grounds for my discontent were political. Or even adult. But then, I was left to my own devices, along with all my bosom friends. We were left alone. No-one messed with us. No-one showed up with smiling faces and dark agendas. Which is why my own curiosity had me reading Baldwin at the age of 11. While listening to classics. Haunting libraries. That gorgeous hunger that growls inside a restless spirit that can show up early in life. And yet, there is nothing whatsoever special about me. I'm Joe Average. Pleased to meet cha. I'm sure. It is a sick joke of a policy-wonked fail-safed world that doesn't know how to open the doors to freedom for its children. In Afghanistan I'm told, to this very day, multitudes of people still equate two words: Education = Freedom. Freedom = Education. I think about what many of them have been through in life. I figure they know what they're talking about.

[@EricLehner]

Thank you for what you do!

[@seekerout]

I suppose a critical race theorist would say that Calvin, Katherine and Rafe have all been colonized. If so, it doesn't seem to have done them any harm. They all have a sense of agency and open, free-thinking minds and they don't come across as oppressed in any way. And they all share a sense of belonging to the wider society rather than being restricted to the confines of a 'community' ghetto. Isn't that what we'd wish for all British children regardless of their genetic heritage? I loved watching this small group of people from diverse backgrounds talking in terms of 'we' rather than 'us and them'. That's what shared values is about.

[@DeneCroxford-ko4cz]

I remember when I did my teacher training thirty years ago. I was taught that as a French teacher I should focus on 'la Francophonie' instead of metropolitan France. I was forced to concentrate on Guadeloupe, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Maroc, Mali, Haute Volte, Tahiti etc, so it wasn't just history that was taught through the prism of multiculturalism.

[@BadHorsie1]

At 20 mins and 30 mins, Rafe's insights are spot on and hilarious

[@stuboy261]

To decolonise education would be to that the things that aren't native and remove them. They are in fact discussing the colonisation of education with things they wish to see. Their cheap manipulation of language and their followers willingness to uncritically adopt it just stands as a testament to their own ignorance or complicity with such lies.

[@MarkTAllenby]

23.11 - OK, I respect this. She is showing that this is far more complex than the previous speaker has said.

[@pw6295]

Alice Grant sumurised it perfectly. What would happen if...I think we all know the answer

[@kbeetles]

"Preventing access to knowledge" - absolutely! The important next question is - is this intentional or zealous blindness?

[@Zemplex]

The first mission of a school is to teach literacy and numeracy to a high standard. Evaluation of teachers should initially be based on this , no excuses. Then critical thinking . Debating , respecting others point of view. A child is a person not a colour we are all British . History is always written by the winners and it is not pleasant . History is what it is . Wars happened .Slavery happened . It was wrong but the people today were not involved in it . Modern history should be based on the fact that we are all British . Whoever you are you need to read and write and be numerate and think for yourself drawing on facts . Life isn't fair it never will be . Hardwork ; respect of others and self responsibility .

[@MarkTAllenby]

Work hard, be kind is way better than work hard, be nice. Kindness can have a hard edge, niceness is more like put on a polite face.

[@MarkTAllenby]

I just looked up KIPP's take on this. Isn't it a bit ironic to 'improve' on KIPP's slogan then complain because KIPP want to improve their slogan?

[@grahamgibbs5948]

Excellent series.

[@DaughterofAlbion]

A panel of foreigners discussing whether our own history is acceptable to teach or not. Great.

[@jju2444]

Defending the teaching of British history.

[@ThisOldManOfTheSea]

This channel has a serious sound/vision synchronisation problem in the studio. You just had a guest join via videolink and his voice/video were perfectly in synch. Whichever hardware/software you are using should allow you to add a frame delay in order to resync. The problem is caused by the fact that it takes slightly longer to process the video signal than the audio signal when one is coming from a camera and the other is coming from external microphones. This is why the videolink guest was in synch as his audio/video were already synced together in his camera. I’ve just watched the Andrew Doyle video and it has the same problem.