Letters: People need to know their rights – why aren't they taught in the school curriculum?

Big Issue readers write in to have their say on recent articles on education, our Changemakers and surveillance. And many of you were worried about Rick Astley when we posted on Instagram post – but don’t worry, he’s fine

Back to school

I read with interest the article Lessons Learned, and in particular the comment by Jaydn Hardy about the school curriculum for 14- to 16-year-olds. In the 1980s I taught a CSE course called Community Rights which had been devised by a colleague. It covered not only housing issues mentioned by Hardy, but also employment rights and other legal matters that ordinary people might need to know about.

Sadly, innovations like this were all crushed by the introduction of a national curriculum a few years later. There is a greater than ever need for people to know their rights, and a greater than ever determination in some quarters not to allow that.

Martin Johnson

Be the change

In February I was named as one of @bigissueuk100 Changemakers of 2026.

To be recognised by a globally renowned social enterprise that lives and breathes the concept of empowerment… genuinely I feel like this may actually be THE proudest thing I’ve accomplished to date. And for the last month or so, it has felt less important to shout about it, and more important to focus on showing up and continuing to do the damn thing I was being celebrated for and make sure I am living up to the title I’ve been given!

You can find the full list on the BI website, which also happens to include fellow cabaret industry favourite, @roundhouseldn – a huge congratulations to them also!

@tigzrice

Read more:

• How to get school uniforms on a budget
• My children were out of school for more than a year as we fought to get them SEND support
• We must diversify the books taught in our classrooms

Not on my watch

John Grindrod’s article is a good read but I am disappointed in his view of Neighbourhood Watch. I am involved in our local branch. I don’t think our members are interested in spotting lads fumbling in the backs of cars; we are more concerned with preventing break-ins to buildings and cars and theft. 

Our NHW and the Safer Neighbourhood Team warn residents about all sorts of dangers – there are so many scams these days which may not appear on camera as they strike through inboxes and phone lines. Sadly, crime is always with us, and we need to keep our eyes open and minds engaged if we are to protect ourselves and others. Net curtains have been around for a long, long time!

Juliet Chaplin, Cheam

Responses to: Rick Astley on Big Issue’s Instagram

You can’t just post black and white pictures of old celebrities, man. 

ballzballzballzballz

OMG I THOUGHT HE DIED.

oznerol.14

I thought we lost him too.

mj.stass

Thought the worst has happened but thank god.

cuhhdii

I don’t like this type of rickroll.

ten_pepee

Y’all really gotta stop jumping to conclusions, I knew he wasn’t dead when I saw this post because I actually took the time to read everything here unlike all of you!

mattaldana2021

Big misunderstanding

It’s only after I bought a Big Issue a few years ago that I found out how it works. 

I think the BBC should make a documentary about it, to be shown in prime time. I like to read about the vendors. Gheorghe Ardeleanu said in Issue 1713 that people sometimes don’t understand that vendors have bought each copy, so they are only getting £2.50 for themselves. 

Jon, the tall Big Issue vendor in Frome who has a lovely friendly dog that lies on a cushion, told me that he had lost everything because of alcohol and drugs, but was helped to quit seven years ago by Big Issue. So many people walk past him without buying a magazine. I’m sure more would if they understood.

Jay

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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