The Open University
Yorkshire Region

Cultural Studies Research Forum
Reports and Abstracts 1995 -2000

introduction | contents

Education and Culture: A free expression in a constrained environment

Ruth Breakell

The observations arose from humanities and Social Science teaching in mainstream secondary schools as well as in further education colleges and higher education. However, the issues raised could have applied to science, technology, the performing arts and language teaching. It was intended to provide an opportunity to discuss issues concerning teachers who work in a variety of educational settings, particularly how they select and implement good educational practice within the constraints of political and economical forces. What is taught and how are two issues that have dominated the nineties in the wake of the economic climate of the eighties. In prescribing what is taught and how it was delivered, a future of change and flexibility, particularly in the field of employment is acknowledged. However, one outcome of a policy of continuing education is that an educated populace has a heightened capacity to reflect on change and its relationship to progress. It is important therefore to recognise the importance of the curriculum, allowing, for example for the richness of the local contribution and criteria beyond economics. The relationship with the curriculum enhances the role of the teacher who is there not only to deliver the curriculum but to supply an open context - what to teach and how to teach it is not as simple as all that, but it is crucial to good practice.