Education is the foundation of society. If we do not get education right, then not only are young people given a poorer start in life, but our economy is weakened, and the social and moral fabric of the nation is undermined.

And good education is about more than teaching mathematics, science and English language. It is about giving young people inspiration for life.

Values as well as skills
The Conservative Party should therefore adopt a broad approach to education policy. In addition to addressing issues such as A level standards, school discipline, teachers’ morale and parental choice, our education policy should include provision for our children and young people to be taught about the following:

International prisoners of conscience, political and spiritual heroes.  In General Studies, History or Political Studies, pupils should hear about British and foreign people of conscience, such as William Wilberforce, Oscar Schindler, Father Maximilian Kolbe, Vaclav Havel, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Nelson Mandela.  In addition, local schools can identify local role models.

International relations, other countries and cultures - Through encouraging children to develop pen-pal relationships with children in the developing world.

Their spiritual and cultural heritage – It is important for us to learn about the roots of our culture and to understand from where many of our values have emerged. In history lessons and religious studies, pupils should be taught early Church history, the values espoused by men such as Thomas Aquinas and St Augustine.

How?
Schools can work with development agencies, churches and Non-Governmental human rights organisations such as Amnesty International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the Jubilee Campaign to develop material that is an appropriate way of informing young people.

Some people may be concerned that extremist organisations – religious fundamentalists, left-wing activists, militant campaigners – may use this as an opportunity to indoctrinate young people with unhealthy propaganda.  To overcome this problem, parents and school governors should be invited to view the material before it is taught. The broad subject matter should be included as a general requirement in the National Curriculum, although the implementation should be up to teachers, school governors and parents to decide.