As previously reported, in June, a coalition of information and education organizations issued an urgent call for media and information literacy to become a mandatory part of England’s school curriculum. This call, in the form of an open letter to Prof Becky Francis, the chair of the ongoing Curriculum and Assessment Review, was coordinated by MILA.
We have since sought to draw political attention to this and in Parliament, at MILA’s suggestion, Annelise Dodds MP recently tabled a written question to the Department for Education (DfE). This asked whether the Curriculum and Assessment Review includes (a) media and (b) artificial intelligence literacy.
On 15 July, Catherine McKinnell, Minister of State at DfE, responded on behalf of the government. We reproduce her full response below:
The Curriculum and Assessment Review’s terms of reference set out that it will seek to refresh the curriculum to ensure children and young people leave compulsory education ready for life and ready for work, building the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive. This includes embedding digital skills in their learning.
In its interim report, the Review noted the importance of the curriculum keeping pace with the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information, including a renewed focus on digital and media literacy and critical thinking skills.
During its current phase of work, the Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of key knowledge and skills in this area to prepare children and young people for future life and to thrive in a fast-changing world.
The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn, at which point the government will respond.
This statement is fairly noncommittal and does not contain anything unexpected. It echoes the sentiments expressed in Prof Francis’ earlier reply to our letter. Nevertheless, it is a marker and at least has the merit of getting ministerial recognition of media literacy and critical thinking. It remains to be seen whether and how this will be translated into recommendations and practice once the Review concludes in the autumn. MILA is keeping and eye on developments and is engaging with other interested organisations, including signatories of the open letter, to reflect on how to make the case for media and information literacy in the light of the Review outcomes and of other forthcoming developments, such as the expected report from the House of Lords inquiry into media literacy.
