Schools to incorporate lessons on critical thinking and debate
One of Flanders’ education networks will incorporate lessons on politics, debate and thinking critically starting in 2018
In response to pupil input
The aim of the lessons, which will take up one or two hours a week in the curriculum, is to teach pupils how to critically think, how to form an opinion and how to debate. “Our students definitely want this,” Verdyck told VRT.
A pilot project starts next month in 10 schools, she said, and the subject will be introduced in all schools from next year. She added that the lessons were not meant to replace topics usually covered in religion or ethics.
The curriculum adjustment appears to have been partly inspired by the findings of Vlaamse Scholierenkoepel, which represents the interests of the region’s secondary school students. A comprehensive survey of pupils included subjects they wanted to see incorporated in school, and citizenship – learning about politics, economics and the world around them – came at the top of the list.
Photo courtesy Stad Gent
