ABSTRACT
Perhaps there are a number of reasons for this seeming lack oflucidity. Educators on the front line may find the concept burdensome and unnecessary. After all, what can possibly be political about 2 + 2, or that the water molecule is comprised of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom? Yet we are already faced with political decision-making aspects from these two simple examples, especially within the international context. At what age, for instance, should such concepts be taught? Should the teaching be through exploratory, Socratic or traditional (a politically sensitive word) methodology? In what language are we going to teach the material? Do we use computers to teach the concept? Do
Governments, too, by their very nature have often seen education as a source of political motivation. It is interesting to note that the majority of individuals in the world who were fortunate enough to attend high school had probably attended a government school where the curriculum was approved by governmental authority. When governments make themselves responsible for education (an already political decision), it is always interesting to consider whether there are any ulterior motives behind their educational programme. Examples can be seen through the forced language learning of Nazism and Communism to more present concerns such as having a properly educated workforce that will give the nation a competitive business, scientific or technological edge over other nations. For national governments then, there appear to be strong reasons for those governments to develop their educational planning from essentially a political arena. Yet there appears to be no conflict of interest. It may be this way because society in general has traditionally given little or no thought to the political undercurrents of education, and the political basis for educational provision is unchallengingly accepted, not disturbing what has already been inculcated into the populace. Perhaps there is also an unwillingness to acknowledge that politics exists in education.
