Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- watchdog / ˈwɒtʃˌdɔg / (n) – a group of people that ensures that the government, companies, or organizations are not doing something illegal
Example:The anti-corruption watchdog documents all the president’s trips outside the country.
- tackle / ˈtæk əl / (v) – to deal with something
Example:The seminar tackled the latest problems in education.
- appeal / əˈpil / (v) – to make a request from someone
Example:Several human rights organizations appealed to the government to extend its scholarship programs to more children.
- instigate / ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪt / (v) – to prompt an action
Example:She instigated the campaign against poverty.
- impart / ɪmˈpɑrt / (v) – to give or share
Example:The teacher imparts knowledge to his students.
Article
Read the text below.
A UK human rights and equality watchdog has appealed to the British prime minister to tackle the importance and benefits of immigration in schools.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), a public body that functions independently from the government, promotes equality and implements anti-discrimination laws across the United Kingdom. Following the release of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Race Disparity Audit for 2016, the commission has appealed to include subjects about immigration in the national curriculum.
The audit was instigated by the prime minister to battle racial discrimination. It revealed that different ethnic groups were experiencing unequal treatment in the United Kingdom. For instance, the audit showed that the employment rate among people of color was lower than the White people. The audit also found that those from some ethnic groups received slightly lower hourly pay compared to White employees during the last quarter of 2016.
The government published the audit along with some plans to solve racial injustice in the region. However, the commission thinks that the proposed projects are insufficient, as the government should also integrate equality and human rights into the curriculum.
EHRC Chairman David Isaac said that students should be taught about the history of immigration in the United Kingdom and how it helped shape the country. He believes that these subjects would help fight prejudice and impart shared values to students. By educating students against discrimination, he hopes that they will be able to fulfill their roles more effectively in a democratic society.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
• Do you agree that the benefits of immigration should be taught in schools? Explain.
• Aside from learning it in schools, how else can students learn about anti-discrimination?
Discussion B
• Do you agree that integrating values into education is important? Why or why not?
• At which grade level should schools start offering values education subjects? Discuss.