- Jun 23, 2001
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I think this is kinda BS, same goes for the US. Maybe its just me, but I had no problems locating most nations on a map at 14 years old. At 6yrs, it may have been difficult though.
One in five young British children cannot find the UK on a map of the world, a magazine's research suggests.
National Geographic Kids said it also found fewer than two thirds of children were able to correctly locate the US.
The magazine, which questioned more than 1,000 six to 14-year-olds, said it found several London children did not know they lived in England's capital.
But the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers branded the findings as "nonsense".
National Geographic Kids also discovered 86% of the children interviewed failed to identify Iraq and one in 10 could not name a single continent.
Boys seemed to show a slightly better geographical knowledge than girls, with 65% able to locate a number of countries around the world compared with 63% of girls.
How are children going to be able to get as much out of their life if they fail to have an understanding of the shape of the world?
Professor Alan Smithers
Scottish children fared better with 67% able to identify the most countries on a world map.
Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said the findings were "rather frightening".
"These results underline the need for education to concentrate on the essentials.
"How are children going to be able to get as much out of their life if they fail to have an understanding of the shape of the world?"
Compulsory geography
The Department for Education and Skills said geography was a compulsory subject on the National Curriculum for five to 14-year-olds.
A spokesman said all 14-year-olds should be taught to use atlases and globes, as well as learning about places and environments in the world.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said: "The constant desire for groups to produce statistics to do down the English education system is quite appalling and does nothing to recognise the excellent work of children and staff."
The magazine carried out the study to mark its UK launch and highlight "gaps in children's geographical knowledge".
Environmentalist David Bellamy said the world was still an undiscovered place for many children.
"Making geography fun and exciting is so important because it makes children aware of the importance of caring for the environment and, by learning about the world, it helps bring other people's worlds and cultures closer to their own."
I think this is kinda BS, same goes for the US. Maybe its just me, but I had no problems locating most nations on a map at 14 years old. At 6yrs, it may have been difficult though.
One in five young British children cannot find the UK on a map of the world, a magazine's research suggests.
National Geographic Kids said it also found fewer than two thirds of children were able to correctly locate the US.
The magazine, which questioned more than 1,000 six to 14-year-olds, said it found several London children did not know they lived in England's capital.
But the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers branded the findings as "nonsense".
National Geographic Kids also discovered 86% of the children interviewed failed to identify Iraq and one in 10 could not name a single continent.
Boys seemed to show a slightly better geographical knowledge than girls, with 65% able to locate a number of countries around the world compared with 63% of girls.
How are children going to be able to get as much out of their life if they fail to have an understanding of the shape of the world?
Professor Alan Smithers
Scottish children fared better with 67% able to identify the most countries on a world map.
Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said the findings were "rather frightening".
"These results underline the need for education to concentrate on the essentials.
"How are children going to be able to get as much out of their life if they fail to have an understanding of the shape of the world?"
Compulsory geography
The Department for Education and Skills said geography was a compulsory subject on the National Curriculum for five to 14-year-olds.
A spokesman said all 14-year-olds should be taught to use atlases and globes, as well as learning about places and environments in the world.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, said: "The constant desire for groups to produce statistics to do down the English education system is quite appalling and does nothing to recognise the excellent work of children and staff."
The magazine carried out the study to mark its UK launch and highlight "gaps in children's geographical knowledge".
Environmentalist David Bellamy said the world was still an undiscovered place for many children.
"Making geography fun and exciting is so important because it makes children aware of the importance of caring for the environment and, by learning about the world, it helps bring other people's worlds and cultures closer to their own."
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