Universities told to ‘go woke’ as watchdog calls for courses to teach about colonialism and white supremacy

Universities are being told to “go woke” as the degrees watchdog calls for courses to teach about colonialism and white supremacy, even in computing.

The watchdog which checks course standards, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), wants universities to teach such topics in a wide range of courses including science, maths and geography.

In geography, the QAA believes that courses should acknowledge “racism, classism, ableism, homophobia and patriarchy”, according to Mail Plus.

In geography, the QAA believes that courses should acknowledge “racism, classism, ableism, homophobia and patriarchy”
David Cheskin

While in computing courses, the watchdog has called on universities to address how “hierarchies of colonial value are reinforced” in the subject.

Economics students should be taught that it is “still predominantly a white, male and Western field”, according to the QAA.

The guidance comes within a 25 “subject benchmarks” document, where the watchdog sets out what it thinks students should be studying.

While it is not compulsory to follow the new guidance, it is thought that many lecturers will do so.

The advice has been slammed by many, with some accusing the QAA of urging universities to “go woke”.

Chris McGovern from the Campaign for Real Education said:” It’s alarming. Campuses are being ordered to go woke.

“This QAA enforcement of anti-white and anti-Western racial hatred and division is iniquitous.

“It will undermine racial integration in our country and breed either resentment or self-loathing.

“The QAA should be promoting enlightenment and knowledge, not prejudice and ignorance.”

While Dennis Hayes from the Academics for Academic Freedom added: “This allows activists to push their feel-good political ideas.

“Instead of teaching the best that is known and thought in each discipline they have been occupied by political activists always defending alleged victims.

“The loss to students is considerable – they are being denied proper access to the study of subjects and therefore legacy of human knowledge.”

The advice has been slammed by many, with some accusing the QAA of urging universities to “go woke”
Chris Radburn

A QAA spokesperson said: “Subject benchmark statements do not mandate set approaches to teaching, learning or assessment.

“They are created by the subject communities for the subject communities, to be used as a tool for reflection when designing new courses or updating existing courses.

“It's up to the individual academics and their departments whether or how closely they follow this guidance.

“The subject benchmark statement activity sits within QAA's role as a membership organisation and is separate from our role as designated quality body,” as quoted by Mail Plus.