MORE THAN CITIZENSHIP CLASSES NEEDED TO SOLVE YOUTH DISAFFECTION

7.49.53pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th May 2006

The government is to review whether "core British values" should become a compulsory part of the curriculum for all 11 to 16-year-olds in England.

Citizenship Classes in a US school, where social exclusion is adressed as part of a wider culture

Simon Davey who is himself 24 and a volunteer with young people commented:

"The whole issue of disaffection amongst young people is more complicated than Ministers suggest. Expecting teachers to be able to overcome all the factors that lead to youth disaffection with a few classes is unrealistic and impractical. The government should undertake research into the causes of social alienation - whether it be poverty, lack of community cohesion or other cultural factors. They are right to recognise the problem, but are wrong to think it can be solved so simply."