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23/10/2006
British pupils 'unable to find UK on a map'
One in five British schoolchildren cannot find the UK on a map of the world, a new report has claimed.
A survey of more than 1,000 children aged between 6 and 14 by National Geographic Kids magazine also found that less than two thirds of children could identify the US, while 86% could not point out Iraq on the map.
One in ten children could not name a single continent, the survey found.
Boys appeared to have slightly better geographical knowledge than girls, with 65% of boys being able to locate a number of countries on a map, compared to 63% of girls.
Scottish children appeared to be the most geographically aware, with 67% being able to identify most countries out of England, the US, France, China and Iraq.
Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said that the findings were "rather frightening."
He said: "These results underline the need for education to concentrate on the essentials."
However, Chris Keates, general secretary of teachers' union NASUWT, said: "The constant desire for groups to produce statistics to do down the English education system is quite appalling and does nothing to recognise the excellent work of children and staff."
(KMcA)
A survey of more than 1,000 children aged between 6 and 14 by National Geographic Kids magazine also found that less than two thirds of children could identify the US, while 86% could not point out Iraq on the map.
One in ten children could not name a single continent, the survey found.
Boys appeared to have slightly better geographical knowledge than girls, with 65% of boys being able to locate a number of countries on a map, compared to 63% of girls.
Scottish children appeared to be the most geographically aware, with 67% being able to identify most countries out of England, the US, France, China and Iraq.
Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said that the findings were "rather frightening."
He said: "These results underline the need for education to concentrate on the essentials."
However, Chris Keates, general secretary of teachers' union NASUWT, said: "The constant desire for groups to produce statistics to do down the English education system is quite appalling and does nothing to recognise the excellent work of children and staff."
(KMcA)
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One in ten children suffers mental disorder, study claims
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Children's Society Warns Benefit Changes Could Leave Children Hungry
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