The case for mandatory current affairs education in schools

Executive Summary

Regular current affairs education should be mandated in all classrooms for students aged 10-16 to develop essential democratic skills, enhance media literacy, and prepare young people for active citizenship. Evidence demonstrates that structured engagement with current affairs significantly improves critical thinking, communication skills, and civic participation while reducing political polarisation and news anxiety. This policy position outlines why making current affairs education a core component of education for 10-16-year-olds is crucial for both individual student success and the health of democracies.

The Challenge

Modern democracy faces unprecedented challenges from political polarisation, misinformation, and declining civic engagement¹. Without well-informed citizens capable of engaging in constructive dialogue about complex issues, democratic institutions are at risk. Research indicates that many young people feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of information and lack the skills to evaluate news sources critically^2,3,4. But schools lack the capability to overcome this. Only 1% of teachers report feeling fully prepared to teach political and media literacy, despite recognising its importance in young people’s development.^5,6

Children from low-income backgrounds often face greater challenges in accessing quality education and developing essential skills and news literacy.⁷ They also feel more excluded from democratic processes⁸ and have fewer opportunities at school for democratic education than peers at fee-paying schools⁹. Creating opportunities for these students to discuss the news can be particularly impactful, providing them with tools to navigate a complex world and empower them to become informed and active participants in society.

Evidence for impact

Research demonstrates that regular current affairs education delivers significant benefits across multiple areas:

Academic and skills development

Students who participate in structured current affairs discussions for at least six weeks show up to seven times the progress of their peers in creative problem-solving and communication skills¹⁰. These essential skills are directly linked to improved academic outcomes, higher future wages, and enhanced wellbeing. Particularly for students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, who often have fewer opportunities to develop these skills, current affairs education can be transformative.

Enhanced democratic engagement

Studies show that young people who receive formal current affairs education are significantly more likely to participate in civic and democratic activities. A 2024 Young Citizens survey found that among young people who felt informed about political issues, 78% expressed intention to vote, compared to just 36% among those who felt uninformed.¹¹

Media literacy and critical thinking

In an era of “infodemics” and widespread misinformation, current affairs education develops crucial media literacy skills. Students learn to:

• Evaluate source credibility
• Build a broad understanding of complex global issues and the concepts underpinning them
• Navigate complex information landscapes
• Make informed decisions based on evidence and different perspectives

If students engage with current-affairs programme, like Topical Talk, regularly- they can make 7x the progress in these skills compared to peers.¹²

Reduced polarisation and improved discourse

Research demonstrates that deliberative classroom discussions about controversial topics builds resilience against extremism.¹³ Regular exposure to balanced viewpoints and structured dialogue decreases partisan animosity and enhances students’ ability to engage with different perspectives^14,15.

An implementation framework: how does Topical Talk contribute?

Saying what needs to happen isn’t enough. Teachers need trusted programmes, resources and training to effectively integrate current affairs education into schools. Here are four critical requirements for successful implementation.