Education for Citizenship

Education for Citizenship
Education for Sustainable Development also includes making learners aware of their role as 'Active Citizens'. Studies of 'citizenship' are intended to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for effective and democratic participation. It helps learners become informed, active citizens who have the confidence and conviction to work together to take action in their communities. It is important to know about rights, responsibilities, duties and freedoms and about laws, justice and democracy. Citizenship encourages respect for different national, religious and ethnic identities.

Find Out:
© The constituency in which you live:
There are two parliamentary constituencies for Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes North & Milton Keynes South.
Milton Keynes North is formed from the electoral wards of Bradwell, Campbell Park, Hanslope Park, Linford North, Linford South, Middleton, Newport Pagnell North, Newport Pagnell South, Olney, Sherington, Stantonbury, and Wolverton.
© Your local MP (name, party): Mark Lancaster MP Conservative
© The name of your local council: Milton Keynes Council
© Which political party dominates your local council: Liberal Democrat

2010 is election year.
© What is your attitude concerning people who are not planning to vote in the general election?

If people decide not to vote, then that is entirely up to them, however they are not in a position to then complain if something happens that they don’t like. They have just got to accept that they decided not to actively vote and therefore the decision is out of their hands. I am also a very strong believer that you should only vote if you know what you are voting for and what the arguments for the parties in power. People need to educate themselves on the politics before they can make decisions. It is up to one’s self as to how much they wish to be involved, but it would be hypocritical to complain if you are not actively involved in any decision making, you can not blame people for what is happening, if you have not made your voice be heard, even if just by voting. BUT Be sure of what you are voting for!

© What main concerns do you have that may influence your vote?

My primary concern is equality, however, I strongly believe that at present the ‘working class’ are being given preferential treatment and many take ‘hand-outs’ for granted when they are not necessarily needed them. I am of the opinion that the most needy do not always receive what they should because the less so needy become greedy. It is all to easy to accept handouts rather than do anything about a situation to help themselves. The upper class do not have to worry about any financial constraints, the working class are given a lot of support by the labour party, it is the middle class that seem to be forgotten and then they struggle. This is just a personal opinion and I do not want to offend anybody, as what I speak of is the minority and I do believe there are a lot of people that do receive much needed and deserved support, but there is also a minority that are ‘money grabbing’ and ‘lazy’ or ‘milking situations for all they are worth’. For this reason I am strongly against the labour party as I do not believe that they are willing or wanting to help support everybody equally. A prime example of this, which I experienced at school was EMA. Those children whose parents had an income of less than £30 000 received at least £10 a week to attend school (some up to £30 a week), which is fine with me if it was to be used for transport to-from school or the necessary books and equipment to aid their education, but invariable people at school use it for their social lives and as spending money, they didn’t give it to their parents, or use it for food or anything like that. Whereas my parents would never just give me £10 a week, or £30. In some cases I know children who are using it for their drugs or cigarettes and alcohol, and I think that this is an absurd use of government money (probably my parents taxes!).

Another concern I have that would influence my vote is how the party propose to achieve their plans, or whether they are all talk and no action. I would like to see improvements in sustainability across the board. Environmentally, socially and economically. I would like to see projects underway, transport improvements, community area improvements. I hate it when those in power talk of what they are going to do and never do it! I would like to see them live like you and I, and perhaps visit places and be actively involved in what they are preaching so that they can have hands on experience and can justify their arguments for what they plan to do. Rather than appoint the ‘middle men’ to do work for them.