MLA speaks out for single education system
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| Shared Education Debate Panel |
Causeway U3A Current Affairs Group were the hosts today for an
invigorating discussion on the Shared/Integrated Education debate with a
prestigious invited panel of speakers including (L - R) P J O'Grady, Ministerial Advisory Group on Shared Education, Mervyn Storey, DUP MLA, Helen Mc Laughlin, Vice Chair of NICIE, and Professor
Alan Smith, UNESCO chair UU.
Mervyn Storey opened the debate with a reminder of the first Minister's declared interest in
instigating a fundamental change in the education system in Northern Ireland.
He agreed with Peter Robinson that the present system was a 'benign form of
apartheid' and that it was time to 'formulate a road map towards greater
sharing and ultimately a single system.' Mr Storey recognised the huge
challenges facing politicians. Ultimately all components will need to come to
agreement.
The floor was then opened to Alan Smith who referred to the huge
costs of running peace building programmes within a system of Shared Education
and indicated that this could run to an extra £50m annually. He also questioned why
teachers are being asked to compensate for the deficiencies in a flawed system
with hugely increased workloads organising these programmes. Professor Smith
referred to the evidence that children sometimes learn negative attitudes
through these programmes and suggested that time and money would be better
spent on scrutinising the ownership of our schools.
Dr P J O' Grady opened his debate with a reminder of the
historical perspective. Faith schools have been around for some time and have
long concentrated on forming the whole person. He argued that 'we walk on
sacred ground' when we educate children. He further claimed that Faith Schools
have accomplished a great deal in terms of developing good Cross Community
relationships and they should continue to play an important role in our
society.
Helen Mc Laughlin took up the challenge of the graveyard shift
but talked to everyone with her common sense approach. Ms Mc Laughlin regretted
how we 'deliberately pull apart our children at the age of 4' and send them to
different schools. However in Integrated Schools children meet together in an
ordinary, uncontrived way and they have the opportunity to learn about each
other's traditions. Ms Mc Laughlin looks forward to a situation where
Integrated Education is no longer another sector but a main contributor to one
single education system.
The discussion was opened to the floor and a lively debate
ensued. It was suggested that we consider a variety of models of education,
such as that in Donegal Town where a radical approach has transformed the
system. Reference was made to education systems in France and elsewhere. Many
regretted the lack of provision for the growing number of children of no faith
or different faiths and it was also suggested that we need to look at the
training of teachers. It was largely agreed that there is now an appetite for
change in Northern Ireland and that we should strike while the iron is hot.
Yet another vibrant debate for The Causeway U3A Current Affairs
Group! Congratulations to the organisers and to all the participants.
Man of the Match
ReplyDeleteSo wasn't that an amazing event last Thursday? All that expertise, all that knowledge, all that power, the quick wit ........ and that was only the U3A members! I'm not sure what the panel guests thought they were coming to but I'm pretty sure they all went away with a great deal more respect for the Causeway U3A. Although Mr Cool himself Mervyn didn't take my number so I don't expect he'll be on the blower asking for my advice on selection or anything else just yet. Our P J probably won't be texting me either. Not sure he was too thrilled at the lack of enthusiasm in the room for Faith Schools. I would say Dr Helen is much too busy to stay in contact. Pity! We could probably all do with more Auntie Helen's common sense, couldn't we? Still. They might read our blog, n'est-ce pas? And I do have the ear of my wee Al of course. Well, some of the time! But we did have our moment and that's something! Many thanks to our Jerry for organising the event! He's our main man! The problem is, Jerry, that we are now going to expect more of the same! What have you started?
Mervyn Storey, Peter's choice
ReplyDeleteWas that really a slip as he politely made out or did Jerry actually mean to introduce Mervyn Storey as 'on the far right'? Nice one, Jerry! I think Freud might have had something to say about that one! Of course Mervyn then came over all 'post agreement DUP', you know what I mean ............ normal! When did that happen? It was like waking up in another universe! Gone was the 'Never! Never! Never! and in came the 'possibly sometime.' Whatever happens when you make it up that hill seems to work. They should just bus those flegs boys and that Dissident lot up there for a week or two and all our troubles could be over. Next thing you know they'd all be 'formulating a road map' and all the talk would be about 'parameters' and 'time frames' and of course, 'greater sharing', just like Peter's boys. Oh, and Irene, of course. Mervyn did get a few digs in of course. CCMS didn't come out looking too rosy and who is that guy being paid a big fat wage to implement the still non existing Education and Skills Authority? How on earth has he been allowed to fly under the radar for so long? And why aren't our well paid politicians, Mervyn included, chasing that one up? And good on you, for taking Mervyn to task about dismissing us as merely middle class. Can't let him away with that, can we? But good to see Mervyn backing up Big Boy Peter's stuff about our present education system being a 'benign form of apartheid' and how we need a 'fundamental change in our education system.' Of course that fundamental change doesn't include our painfully divisive Grammar school system, does it? Because that's not exactly a vote winner, is it? So it looks like the DUP wants us to stop dividing up our children because of religion but it's perfectly ok to tell some children they are a failure at the age of 11. Fundamental or part mental?
Alan Smith, the smart woman's choice
ReplyDeleteI do rather like that jumper on him and he's always made sense to me. The Prof does know his stuff too!
(Did you seriously think I was going to let rip on my Alan?)
P J O'Grady, the Barney boys' hero
ReplyDeleteP J had a few good stories, didn't he? Inviting the Orange Order into Bearnageeha was a brave, ambitious thing to do. And that whole hurling/hockey/shinty games thing was pure genius! P J's passion got his boys noticed, didn't it? He filled them with confidence and gave them every opportunity. A dream come true. Front stage in Belfast, they even travelled to USA telling their story of overcoming difficulty. And P J was behind them all the way. Wouldn't you have loved someone like that fighting your cause? P J obviously firmly believes that 'we walk on sacred ground' when we teach children. His own personal faith clearly leads him to believe in the strength of Faith Schools. But I'm more convinced that what made P J's school great was his passion, his drive. Isn't it a pity that children from all faiths or no faith didn't have the chance to benefit from some Paddy power?
Helen Mc Laughlin, the children' choice
ReplyDeleteWell you just can't argue with her, can you? Clear common sense. Dr Helen spells it out with her easy confidence. Name it and no hiding behind soft belly solutions. In our present education system we 'pull apart our children' at age 5. Auntie Helen wants to know why. When all you need to do is teach children together why bother with contrived, awkward, costly programmes? Didn't you just love her story about her son? How he went through the whole Holy Communion thing in his Integrated Primary School where everyone joined in the celebrations and you can just hear that wee voice singing 'I love the Queen', can't you? Helen painted us a picture of inclusion, a school for everyone. Simple, isn't it? And our Auntie Helen's no die hard Integrationist either. She recognises that it is a long road ahead and is determined to find ways of bringing everyone along with her. Now where do I sign up for Auntie Helen's Volunteers list?
Over to us! The people's choice
ReplyDeleteAnd then it was our turn. And didn't we do well? No holding back with us! Unusually for Norn' Irelanders ............... well, peaceloving, non fleggers that is ................, we held the stage. Astute, knowledgeable, claiming our rights, powerful, yet considered, we were really rather, what's the word ................. Oh yes, that's it! .................... Political! And didn't that feel good? It's as if we have all been waiting a lifetime to discard our muffles and let rip. All that pent up, passionate 'sensible talk' just poured out of us. There we were, expressing long restrained opinions and voicing workable suggestions. That's just it. We had a voice! And You can't stop us now. There's no going back. Bring on the fracking experts! Give us some Causeway Hospital managers! Goddammit! I think we might even be ready for Edwin Poots and his gay blood brigade!
(Ok. Maybe a tad on the OTT side but we were good, weren't we? Post your ideas for future events here. Just click on comments below. And we want all your views on last Thursday's event too. Let's make this the biggest blog in the country!)