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EU 'trying to brainwash children in classroom'
THE EU has been accused of using underhand means in the classroom to try to "brainwash" British children into becoming enthusiastic supporters of the European project.
A new teaching pack on the EU has been introduced for use in Key Stage 3 and 4 "citizenship" classes that claims to offer a balanced view of the organisation and its role.
The taxpayer-funded materials – available to schools in bulk and at no cost from the European Parliament's UK office – hail the effectiveness of EU legislation on everything from smoking and workers' rights to genetically modified organisms and food labelling.
But Eurosceptics were up in arms last night about elements of the lesson notes and pupil worksheets, which guide teachers and pupils in "de-bunking" the views of a man who is critical of a lack of democracy in the EU.
The UK Independence Party, which blew the whistle on the pack, also attacked the way the Eurosceptic character featured in the pupil worksheets – "Portsmouth plumber Charlie Bolton" – is an ageing, white man who contrasts with other young, smiling, fresh-faced people.
Below a chart showing how the various institutions of the EU, such as the European Parliament and European Commission, interact, Charlie Bolton says: "Europe – it's just faceless bureaucrats – none of them elected.
"And they impose their laws on us from Brussels whenever they fancy. All that red tape to make our lives harder."
It then guides pupils to reject the notion that the EU is anti-democratic by reminding them of the elected European Parliament.
"Do you agree with Charlie? What does the flow chart tell you about how laws are made?" it asks.
The teacher is also instructed to show pupils how to counter his argument and to lead the pupils to conclude that he is wrong and that the EU is democratic.
The lesson plan reads: "Discuss Charlie Bolton's attitude to EU legislation. If Charlie knew that the Members of the European Parliament are elected and that the Council of Ministers represents our governments, do the students think that he would change his mind?"
Yorkshire's UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom hit out last night at the pack, branding it "bias and propaganda, masquerading as neutral fact".
"At a time when the Government has been downplaying Britain's history and political traditions in our schools, taxpayers are instead forced to pay for our children to learn EU systems," he said.
"Given that up to 75 per cent of our laws are now made in Brussels, I suppose it does make some sense, but I am sure that most parents would want their children to learn our political systems and institutions rather those that are being imposed upon us.
"It is obvious that the EU has given up on persuading the grown ups, so now they have started on the children."
Shipley's Tory MP Philip Davies, spokesman for the Better Off Out campaign, added: "The EU gets more like the Soviet Union every day when it resorts to brainwashing children.
"All it does is confirm my worst fears.
"But it's not just Charlie Bolton who's sick of the EU – opinion polls show that more and more people are fed up with membership and now a majority of businesses are against it.
"It smacks of utter desperation on their part because they know they've been rumbled."
The European Parliament insists that the pack is impartial and that it helps pupils make their own minds up about the EU.
"The resources have been designed to offer a balanced introduction to the European Union and the European Parliament, to encourage students to take part in discussion and to form their own view on the subjects covered in the resources," say the officials responsible for the pack.
Is there any danger of bias if the EU's schools pack is taught to children?
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