IN my role as shadow spokesperson for education and children’s services I have been fortunate to be invited to meet with many young people in our primary and secondary schools.

It was interesting at a primary school recently when the class asked me 'what a Councillor was for?' and a voice came from the back of the class: “Well you can come in to our school but if Donald Trump comes, we will not let him in.”

These visits made me realise how interested children are and they want to know more.

Also I have been very impressed by the teaching and interest pupils have in politics in our secondary schools. They are really picking up on major issues in our society and want to discuss and campaign on them.

Unfortunately, they tell me that not all sixth forms teach politics as a subject.

It is, I believe, more important than ever that we encourage all It is, I believe, more important than ever to learn about our open values and democratic society and engage with politics.

Every young person has a right to the opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to take part in life as an active citizen.

We are approaching the 100th anniversary of major voting reform in 2018 which extended the right to vote to millions.

Every young person should learn about citizenship particularly at this moment in time when democracy is facing unprecedented threats.

We need a national programme to raise the quality of citizenship teaching in our schools and what really concerns me is this government has overseen the number of trainee citizenship fall from 240 in 2010 to just 54 last year. Training bursaries are no longer available either.

I was pleased so many young people went out to vote in this election, after all it is their future and they must have a say in it. The more they are engaged with politics the better.

Cllr Jane Baugh

Shadow Spokesperson for Education and Children’s services

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