Slavery will be taught in schools, says Lammy
by Lester Holloway
23/10/2006

THE GOVERNMENT bowed to pressure to make teaching slavery compulsory in schools last week.


Arts minister David Lammy dropped heavy hints that the government would backtrack over its previous refusal to amend the national curriculum.

Speaking at a conference last Monday Lammy, who is overseeing preparations to commemorate 2007 as the bicentenary of slavery abolition, said the issue was “universal.”

Campaigners have been calling for the real history of the transatlantic slave ‘trade’ to be put on a level-pegging with the Jewish Holocaust in classrooms.

Currently teaching slavery is just an option, despite a consultation on bringing back the British Empire as a mandatory lesson.

Kofi Mawuli Klu, from the anti-slavery campaign group Rendezvous of Victory, congratulated this paper for raising the issue.

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‘A groundswell of public opinion is forcing the government’s hand.
‘The black media is to be commended for playing a leadership role and championing this issue, allowing black voices to be heard.’

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Slaves pictures in America
He said one of the main battlegrounds was to make sure the “establishment” did not fete 19th century Tory MP William Wilberforce to the exclusion of slave rebellions and black abolitionists.

Ex-school head Keith Ajegbo has been ordered to carry out a review for Education Secretary Alan Johnson to see whether slavery is taught as part of citizenship classes.

Dawn Butler MP has led moves in parliament for slavery to become a statutory part of the curriculum.

She welcomed Lammy’s speech but added that black history must embrace pre-slavery times, including the great African civilisations.

She added: ‘This is a stepping stone to achieving an annual remembrance or memorial day, whatever date that is, to help educate and remember.’

A new Mori survey commissioned by the Churches Together in England group found just 10% of people were aware of the bicentennial anniversary of slavery abolition.

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