Continent Isolated

The European Union continues to develop wide powers in important policy areas, but there remains widespread public ignorance about the policies, structure and significance of the EU. This text highlights the gaps in the English education system, and suggest how the "European dimension" should be taught in schools. The author considers the National Curriculum in England, concluding that there is a clear need for reform of current educational practice in this area. In spite of official policy, the typical British syllabus fails to provide even a basic understanding of how the EU is governed. She contends that European citizenship is almost a taboo subject, and much of the curriculum fails to equip students with the necessary linguistic, business and cultural skills to enable them to participate in the civic, social and economic development of the European Union.