This resource is a training tool to help educators manage controversy in schools. It offers practical support for school leaders and school managers on how to manage and react to controversial issues in and beyond the school.

Nowadays, controversial issues are at the centre of our democratic societies, thus, learning how to deal with such issues must also be at the heart of an effective education for democratic citizenship and human rights education. There are a lot of issues in society that young people are keen to discuss, however, they are denied this in schools because the issues are seen as too challenging and too difficult to manage at a whole-school level.

Dealing with controversial issues in school curricula poses difficult pedagogical questions, such as: how to protect the sensitivities of students from different backgrounds and cultures, how to avoid bias, the role of the teacher’s own beliefs and values as well as how to support teachers in delivering controversial issues.

Thus, this resource provides support for school leaders and managers on managing controversial issues in school and beyond and strengthens teaching in this area.

This resource is designed for school leaders and senior managers. It contains several sections in different areas and contains an explanation of each respective area’s purpose as well as a case study from a European school with a practical suggestion on how to apply it in school.

This resource is also available in German, Finnish and Swedish.

Click here to access this resource

To cite this resource: The Council of Europe (2009). Managing controversy. Developing a strategy for handling controversy and teaching controversial issues in schools. Strasbourg: The Council of Europe.