Children in England to learn about fake news and managing money in school
- Published
Primary schools in England will have lessons on spotting fake news and managing money, according to the Department for Education (DofE).
As part of the new lessons children will learn things like how to spot fake news, including AI, identify misinformation and disinformation, and develop critical thinking skills to help protect themselves online.
Children will also have lessons on how to save and budget money in maths classes, and how things like interest and mortgages - which is when people borrow money to buy a home - work.
The government say the new lessons, which will start in 2028, are the first major changes to the curriculum in more than a decade.
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The government will also introduce a new reading test in Year 8, and make changes to a writing assessment in Year 6 to help identify pupils who might need extra support to learn.
According to the National Literacy Trust, around 1 in 4 children leave primary school without being able to read well.
The government say they also want to make sure that all children have access to enrichment activities to improve their wellbeing, such as: community engagement, arts and culture, nature and adventure, sport and life skills.
The changes are part of the government's Plan For Change, which has been created with recommendations from Professor Becky Francis's Curriculum and Assessment Review.
Speaking about the changes the government's Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: "It has been over a decade since the national curriculum was updated, and it's more crucial than ever that young people are equipped to face the challenges of today, so they can seize the exciting opportunities that life has to offer.
"From the fundamentals of reading to the present danger of spotting fake news, as part of our Plan for Change, these landmark reforms will help young people step boldly into the future, with the knowledge to achieve and the skills to thrive as the world around us continues to rapidly evolve."