The representative body for anglers is encouraging its members to respond to the Government’s current consultation and to call for the National Curriculum to continue to require that pupils are taught at Key Stage 1 to care for the environment; and at Key Stage 2 about ways in which living things and the environment need protection.
An understanding of the natural environment from an early age is important to reduce antisocial and environmentally damaging behaviour in young people such as leaving litter, which often blights the water environment. It is also vital to provide students with an early knowledge base on which they could build careers as environmental scientists in the future. Early engagement with the natural world also encourages young people to explore the great outdoors and makes them less apprehensive about getting into fishing.
Environmental education also complements the wide range of programmes on offer from the voluntary sector to use angling as a tool to help young people to learn about the wider consequences of pollution and encourage environmental stewardship.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said:
“At a time when the human race faces unprecedented environmental challenges, it would be perverse to drop requirements to give the next generation the foundations they need to build solutions to problems such as low flows in rivers, pollution, habitat damage and collapsing marine fish stocks. The Prime Minister promised that this would be the greenest government ever, but proposals such as this fly in the face of that claim. An understanding of the natural environment is also vital if we are to encourage young people to get into healthy, inspiring and adventurous outdoor activities such as fishing.”
The consultation PDF is available to read HERE and the ATr is suggesting concerned anglers respond by sending an e-mail to: NationalCurriculum.CONSULTATION@education.gsi.gov.uk
The ATr suggest the following response:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am responding to Question 3 of the consultation on the National Curriculum in England Framework document: Do you have any comments on the content set out in the draft programmes of study?
I am very concerned that the proposed curriculum has removed any reference to teaching pupils about the need for conservation of the environment. In particular I believe the National Curriculum should continue to require that pupils are taught at Key Stage 1 to care for the environment; and at Key Stage 2 about ways in which living things and the environment need protection.
Yours faithfully,
[Insert your name and postcode]
