1984 in Schools

2009 is the 60th anniversary of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. This petition celebrates by calling for the book to be taught in schools from now on.

Are the book's predictions becoming increasingly true? Surveillance is a rapidly growing industry. How easily is it open to misuse? And how far is it going to go? In the past five years, even more sophisticated ways of monitoring people have appeared. What will the next five years bring us? And the next 20?

A generation is growing up who will never have known life without surveillance and other intrusions. Is there a chance they might begin to forget these practices are abnormal, intimidating and unfair?

Perhaps "Nineteen Eighty-Four" is crucial to this understanding. That's why the petition calls for it to be included in the National Curriculum.
Firstly, as a GCSE English exam set text, but also to be taught to as many ages and abilities as possible. Could it be included in drama, history or art, for example, or incorporated as background to a "Who's watching you, and how are they doing it?" component in the Personal and Social Education programme?

Please sign the petition if you wish young people to be encouraged to look closely at what is happening today, and warned of where it could lead...