Africa

GLOBAL ISSUES

Every year as part of the Year 9 PSHEplus curriculum we do a global issues/politics module where we research the political and socio-economic issues affecting an African country undergoing conflict.

As part of this project the pupils set out to "rebuild" a country following prolonged conflict, by re-introducing democracy to a country previously run by a dictatorship. They form political parties and develop their own manifestos, with promises that have to be backed with substance. They then undergo an election campaign where they produce posters, fliers, badges and party political broadcasts. They have "local elections" in form groups and then a general election with the top 4 parties running with a president and leading party being elected.

This has always been a very successful module and many year groups have been deeply moved by the various videos we have watched, facts that we have found out and students have grown in their awareness of political issues. We have written to the President of the USA, Prime Minister of Great Britain, Deputy Prime Minister of Sierra Leone and Secretary-General of the United Nations. We have also had year groups so determined to make a difference they have shown their broadcasts in assembly and organised charity days to raise money that supported villages in Sierra Leone by buying chicken farming businesses and training.

This year we are considering investigating either Zimbabwe or the Congo as both these regions are experiencing very extreme political situations. However we may also look at Eritrea as Mr Stubberfield has connections with a local community. As the school has a philosophy of ensuring money raised by us goes directly to the communities and people in need (and not lost within huge charity "machines") this may well be an opportunity to once again make a significant impact on peoples lives.

The project is due to start after Christmas so keep an eye on the blog for the students election campaigns. Meanwhile make sure you checkout the post on Mr Stubberfields book collection campaign for an Eritrean school.