Schools 'should teach children how to recognise fake news'
Schools are ideally placed to help children to recognise potentially fake news online, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Speaking ahead of the annual Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai, the OECD's director of education and skills said schools have an important role to play in equipping their pupils with the cognitive capabilities they need to tell separate facts from deliberately misleading propaganda.
The concept of fake news has become a global issue in recent months, with the advent of social media making it easier than ever for a false story to be propagated worldwide without any fact-checking.
According to the expert, this needs to be addressed by building skills to help discern the truth into all lessons, from science to history, rather than treating this as a separate issue.
Mr Schleicher said: "Distinguishing what is true from what is not true is a critical skill today. Exposing fake news, even being aware that there is something like fake news - that there is something that is written that is not necessarily true, that you have to question, think critically - that is very important. This is something that we believe schools can do something about."
He also noted that the "echo-chamber" effect of social media, in which users can cultivate a space in which they only ever encounter opinions that corroborate their existing mindset, can be potentially dangerous for the development of children's critical faculties and their ability to find common ground with people of different mindsets.
The OECD is currently planning to launch new tests to evaluate young people's attitudes to global issues and different cultures, as well as their analytical and critical skills and abilities to interact with others.
These computer-based "global competencies" tests will be taken by 15-year-olds around the world every three years starting in 2018, with results to be published the following year.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Newcastle
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Shropshire
Description
1:1 Tutor - Newcastle (NE1) Job Title: 1:1 Tutor Location: Newcastle, NE1 Job Type: Part-Time Salary: £25-£30 per hourWe are looking for a passionate and dedicated 1:1 Tutor to support children and
Reference
20/10Tutor-NE1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Manchester City Centre
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Manchester
Description
Fully Qualified Maths and English Tutor - Manchester (M43) Fully Qualified Maths and English Tutor - Manchester (M43)TP-Tutors are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced Fully Qualified Math
Reference
20/10-FQT-M43
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
East Yorkshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
West Yorkshire
Description
1:1 SEN Tutor - York (YO26) Job Title: 1:1 SEN Tutor Location: York, YO26 Job Type: Part-Time Salary: £25-£30 per hourWe are seeking a dedicated and compassionate 1:1 SEN Tutor to support children
Reference
20/10SEN-YO26
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Sunderland
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Sunderland
Description
GCSE Tutor - Sunderland (SR5) GCSE Tutor - Sunderland (SR5)TP-Tutors are currently seeking a dedicated and experienced GCSE Tutor to provide 1:1 tuition to secondary-aged pupils in the Sunderland (
Reference
20/10-GCSE- SR5
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£180 - 275 per day
Location free text
Rochdale
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Rochdale
Description
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Maths Teacher to join a welcoming secondary school in Rochdale from January on a one-year maternity cover contract.The successful candidate will deliver
Reference
377MATH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£23k - 27k per year
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Future Teachers Programme Bournemouth January Start £23,000 - £27,000 per annumAre you a graduate considering a career in teaching and looking to gain valuable experience in a secondary school envi
Reference
bmth2027ja
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£120 - 180 per day
Location free text
Camberley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Camberley
Description
General Supply Teacher Camberley, Surrey Competitive Daily Rates (£120-£180 per day, dependent on experience) Flexible Working Opportunities - Full-Time & Part-Time AvailableA
Reference
stgeneral
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley SecondaryAuthor
Thames Valley SecondarySalary
£120 - 180 per day
Location free text
Guildford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Guildford
Description
General Supply Teacher Guildford, Surrey Competitive Daily Rates (£120-£180 per day, dependent on experience) Flexible Working Opportunities - Full-Time & Part-Time AvailableAre
Reference
supplyteachergeneral
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley SecondaryAuthor
Thames Valley SecondarySalary
£23k - 27k per year
Location free text
Warrington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Warrington
Description
Graduate Opportunity - Future Teachers Programme If you've recently graduated and are considering a career in teaching, this could be the perfect first step.Teaching Personnel is working with seco
Reference
WARFTJ
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£100 - 200 per day
Location free text
Brighton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Brighton
Description
Secondary Supply Teachers & Cover Supervisors | Brighton & Surrounding Areas A few days each week, occasional classroom work or a change from a permanent timetable — how would supply fit around you?
Reference
secsup1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Brighton SENAuthor
Brighton SENRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
October marks Black History Month in the UK, giving schools an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, contributions and experiences of Black communities while encouraging meaningful conversati
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
As ADHD Awareness Month shines a spotlight on neurodiversity, Teaching Personnel's Ellen shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how greater awareness and understandi
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants' Day 2026, we're delighted to recognise the incredible individuals who have been selected as our Teaching Assistant of the Year winners.This year,
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
After a well-earned summer break, schools across the UK are opening their doors once again for a new academic year. Whether you're returning to a familiar classroom or starting a new role, Septemb
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for changes to the way temporary staff are sourced from September 2026, many will look to work more closely with framework-approved recruitment partners. Understandin
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Summer has only just started, and September might seem a long way off, but it will be here sooner than you think. Schools and trusts are already planning for September, with new opportunities open
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
As schools and trusts prepare for September 2026, the shift from CCS (Crown Commercial Service) to the new GCA (Government Commercial Agency) framework marks a significant change in how supply sta
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
When schools wind down for the holidays, nurseries keep open. Many early-years settings remain open throughout the summer. Nurseries rely on skilled, caring staff to help children and
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
Exams are one of the most stressful times in the academic year, and it isn’t only pupils who feel the pressure. For teaching assistants (TAs) and support staff, exam season brings new expectations
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging
by
Adam Davies
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job