Introduce mandatory political education for 14-17 year olds (KS4/5)

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

The government should introduce basic political education for 16-17 year olds (KS4/5) who have recently gotten the vote, so they may be informed when voting. Basic education includes: The voting system (FPTP), The Parties (minor and major), Functions of Parliament. Can take place with PSHE.

We live in an era of disinformation and misinformation where opinions have become more prevalent than fact in elections. The only way to combat this, is to arm the new 16-17 years old voters with the knowledge of our political system, allowing them to resist the influences of social media and propaganda and focus on their own political interests when voting; Giving them the freedom to choose wisely as well as the incentive to carry on voting.

Why it was rejected

The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.

Schools are already required to teach citizenship as part of the secondary national curriculum.

The citizenship curriculum includes content on how the United Kingdom is governed, its political system and how citizens participate actively in its democratic systems of government.

You can read the citizenship programmes of study for secondary school here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-citizenship-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-citizenship-programmes-of-study-for-key-stages-3-and-4

If you would like to make a change to the current arrangements, you can start a petition setting out clearly what you would like to change, such as submitting a petition about making politics a core specific subject.

Timeline

17 Jul 2025	Petition opened for signatures
31 Jul 2025	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 31 Jul 2025

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